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Today, May 15th, we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by highlighting the importance of digital inclusion for users with visual impairments.

The growth of digitalization and the expansion of online services have not necessarily resulted in better or more accessible user experiences. Accessibility became a concern only later—once its absence began to affect businesses. Although dissatisfaction with digital channels among European consumers is below the global average, 28% of it is attributed to poor UX/UI (user experience and interface) practices.

In Portugal, there are 8.73 million internet users, 11% of whom use voice systems to navigate. For visually impaired users, screen-reading technologies or equivalent solutions are essential—there are around 2 billion people globally, and about 900,000 nationally, who are excluded whenever accessibility is not considered in the development of digital products and services.

"...consumer companies with inaccessible websites and digital strategies lose $6.9 billion annually as frustrated disabled consumers take their business to competitors...” — Rebecca Wettemann and Trevor White, "The Internet Is Unavailable”, July 2019 (source)

The main responsibility for ensuring inclusion and compliance lies with the designers of digital products and services. Accessibility must be embedded in the design process from the start. The main challenges causing delays in this area include: a lack of technical skills and tool knowledge among professionals; the wide range of needs within the visual impairment spectrum, each requiring specific solutions; and the fact that accessibility testing is often not integrated into the design process, being treated as an add-on.

Creating a more accessible product or service is neither significantly more expensive nor more time-consuming when properly implemented. It ultimately comes down to a commitment to inclusion and a willingness to rethink current processes.

To address the diversity within the visual impairment spectrum, it's not necessary to create individual solutions for each user. The availability of editing tools and customizable page views already provides strong support. Some effective first steps include: ensuring font resizing and page zooming are allowed; offering an audio version of text content, even if AI-generated; and using free tools to test for color contrast and text readability.

Ideally, all companies that claim to be inclusive should follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the WAI, as well as the AMA’s Web Accessibility Directive. Designers should be required to test their digital products using screen readers or equivalent tools to ensure proper audio navigation. Accessibility audits can also help certify a company’s level of compliance in this area.

For this shift toward accessibility—aligned with .PT's commitment—to be successful, investment in training and qualifications is essential. The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is a global reference for information and certifications. At the national level, Lisbon Digital School offers strong training options, including the most recent .PT-backed online course Digital Accessibility in Practice for Developers.

Digital is increasingly comprehensive and mandatory for navigating our current world of services, no one should be excluded from this reality. The inclusion of good foundations is the basis for more accessible designs - with cohesive, collaborative development and continuous improvement - for digitalization of and for everyone.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day!