Creating a business case for web accessibility can be difficult, especially when, as accessibility professionals, we just "get it!" We know why accessibility is important and that it should be baked into all of our information and communication technologies. But that isn’t always the case with stakeholders and decision-makers.
When building your next business case for accessibility, make sure to include verifiable facts and data (not just professional opinion), define any reasonable assumptions regarding outcomes, and write it in clear, plain language.
Also, for each section of your business case, it is critical that you cite the resources / supporting data for that section as well as, when applicable, list tangible and / or intangible benefits.
What sections should be included in a good business case?
The sections below should help you get started on a good, solid business case. As an example, I have included a support resource and listed some of the benefits for each section. If you would like additional ideas and suggestions on sections, topics, writing styles, etc., please peruse the resources list at the bottom of this post.
- Demographics
- The bottom line
- Globally, the extended market is estimated at 2.3 billion people who control an incremental $6.9 trillion in annual disposable income 18
- Benefits: increased revenue, broaden the customer base
- Why Investing in the Accessibility Space Is a Smart Business Move
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Diversity Includes Disability - video
- Benefits: increased productivity can lead to greater innovation
- Brand Reputation
- Report: Digital content accessibility has big impact on brand reputation
- Benefits: increased customer loyalty, create brand advocates, improve corporate image through social responsibility
- Examples of competitors implementing a11y and the results
- The Business Case For Accessibility: How Microsoft Is Empowering Everyone, Everywhere
- Benefits: competitive edge, learn from an industry leader
- Legal Issues
- The Top 10 Most Notable ADA Website Compliance Lawsuits (Updated for 2019)
- Accessibility Under Title II of the ADA
- IT Accessibility Laws and Policies
- Benefits: reinforce reputation, save on legal fees
- Increased workforce retention
- National Rehabilitation Information Center -
Volume 6, Issue 2, March 2011: Workplace Accommodations & Individuals with Disabilities - "Results indicated that the most frequently mentioned direct benefits from implementing workplace accommodations were: (1) retaining a qualified employee, (2) increasing worker productivity, and (3) eliminating the cost of training a new employee."
- National Rehabilitation Information Center -
When planning out your business case, think about your company’s culture, values, and priorities. Then customize your business case to align with your company’s overarching goals. If your company is hyper-aware of legal consequences, make that the first topic of your business case. If the company’s bottom line is at the top of the list, make a strong case for how accessibility positively affects that bottom line.
When you build a business case for accessibility you are developing an integral part of a long-term, strategic commitment to accessibility and your current and future customers.
Resources
- Chasing the Web Accessibility Business Case, Part 1
- Chasing the Web Accessibility Business Case, Part 2
- The Business Case for Digital Accessibility
- Making the Business Case for Accessibility
- Business Case for Web Accessibility in 2020
- Accessibility: Making the Business Case for Employers
- Business case for website accessibility
- 7 reasons why accessibility is good for business
- The Business Case for Accessibility
