Introduction

Thank you for showing an interest in making your product available to all users, regardless of their disabilities.

The 2011 WHO World Report on Disability estimates more than 15 percent (1 Billion) of the world’s population (7 Billion) live with some kind of disability. Contrary to common perception, not all disabilities are severe (e.g. blindness, paraplegia, etc).

The 2010 WHO Global Data on Visual Impairments estimates that an average 30 percent of the population in developed countries suffer from some kind of visual impairment. This includes even light Astigmatism (short/long-sightedness), which in combination with low text contrast may cause uncomfortable headaches.

Insufficient text contrast, bad ergonomics, or high cognitive load impact everyone, it’s just that people with severe impairments feel it most, as for them, these issues don’t just slow them down, they stop them from achieving their goals.

Everyone can experience External Impairments, they introduce or aggravate existing impairments.

Examples of External Impairments include:

• Bright sunlight may impair color contrast, resulting in temporary color blindness and sight reduction;
• Driving or even walking impair cognitive and motor abilities, resulting in a temporary learning or physical impairment;
• Noisy environments impair hearing, resulting in temporary hearing loss;
• Flashing lights impair vision, causing distraction or epileptic seizures.

Accessibility adds robustness, improving experience for both temporarily and permanently impaired users.

“Disability need not be an obstacle to success.”, (Professor Stephen W. Hawking, 2011 World Report on Disability)

Stephen Hawking is proof that given the right conditions and Assistive Technology, even severe disabilities pose no barrier to living a happy, successful life.

I’ve put myself in the shoes of someone who relies on Assistive Technology, it didn’t take long to encounter a barrier I could not surpass.

We have the moral duty to remove the barriers to participation, to invest time and effort into making tools appropriately accessible to everyone, unlocking their full potential.

“Unfortunately, unseen customers are considered nonexistent.”

The UN Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities estimates that 75% of the FTSE 100 companies in the UK do not meet basic levels of accessibility, thus missing out on more than £96 ($147) million in revenue. Unfortunately, unseen customers are considered nonexistent.

If not for moral values, do it for financial values, either way everyone benefits.