Blog | Why Digital Accessibility Matters
Introduction
The internet has completely transformed nearly every aspect of our lives – from the way we work and entertain ourselves, to communication, education and information distribution. This digital world is just about everywhere and in everything, yet it remains an inaccessible place for people with disabilities.
This isn’t a tiny subset of people, either. According to the World Health Organisation, people with disabilities who make up an estimated 16 percent of the global population, are often excluded from the digital world.
People, regardless of disability, have a right to work, play, navigate and find entertainment on the internet just the same as anyone else.
What is digital accessibility and why does it matter?
Put simply, digital accessibility is about designing and building websites (and content) in a way that people with disabilities can interact with and experience in a way that’s meaningful.
Certain types of disabilities may be more impacted in a website or digital setting than others. For instance:
- People with vision impairments, like colour blindness or low vision (partial blindness), will struggle to read intricate graphs or text on screen.
- People that have limited mobility or paralysis may not be able to navigate with a traditional keyboard and mouse.
- Those who are hard of hearing won’t be able to follow along to what’s being said in a video or podcast without captions.
By considering different disabilities when designing your website and content, you’re well on your way to creating a truly accessible experience for all. Plus – it’s not only good business sense, but it’s the right thing to do.
The POUR Principles of Accessibility
Accessible content should meet the four principles of web accessibility (the ‘POUR’ principles):
- Perceivable – content should be available to at least one of the user’s senses. For example, images are described with an alternative text for visually impaired users.
- Operable – content can be controlled by a variety of tools. For example, using the keyboard only, for people who are not able to use a mouse.
- Understandable – use clear and simple language and predictable and consistent interfaces. This helps people with cognitive or reading disabilities.
- Robust – the website or app should work well across different platforms, browsers and devices, including assistive technology.
The European Accessibility Act
From 28 June 2025, a new EU law called the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will come into effect. Its goal is to make sure that digital products and services – like ATMs, online shopping, banking, smartphones, and telecom services – are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
The EAA sets out rules for how these services should be designed, how they work, and how information is presented. These rules are based on a standard called EN 301 549, which helps businesses know what they need to do to comply.
In Ireland, following the EAA also means you’re following Irish law. If a business doesn’t comply, it could face fines of up to €60,000, and in some cases, individuals within the business could be held personally responsible.
A recent Digital Business Ireland (DBI) research project found that nearly half (49%) of Irish businesses are unaware of the requirements of the incoming EAA, and do not believe they will be compliant by the time it comes into effect on 28 June 2025.
As part of the research, DBI also found that only 35% of businesses surveyed had begun to take steps to prepare for the EAA, and over 90% had no budget allocated for accessibility compliance.
Practical Steps for SMEs
For SMEs aiming to make their websites accessibility compliant, the first step is to assess the current state of your website. This means identifying any barriers that might prevent people with disabilities from using it effectively. Tools and audits can help highlight issues like poor contrast, missing alt text, or navigation problems.
Next, set clear, realistic goals based on what needs fixing. This could involve prioritising the most critical accessibility issues first and creating a timeline for improvements. Once goals are in place, allocate the necessary resources – whether it’s hiring accessibility experts, training staff, or investing in new tools – and begin implementing the changes.
Finally, accessibility isn’t a one-time task. It’s important to regularly monitor your site, maintain the changes, and look for ongoing improvements. Keeping up with best practices and updates to accessibility standards ensures your website stays inclusive and compliant over time.
Recommended Resources
- Digital Business Ireland – The Digital Accessibility Guide from Digital Business Ireland will provide crucial guidance and support for businesses to meet digital accessibility standards: https://www.digitalbusinessireland.ie/digital-accessibility-guide/
- Vially Insights – Vially can help provide expertise help to your company’s digital accessibility journey, with support in automatic monitoring, comprehensive auditing, scalable scanning, design and more: https://vially.io/
- European Commission – further understand the legal framework and scope of the European Accessibility Act: European Commission – Accessibility
- The National Disability Authority Ireland – The NDA offers comprehensive guidelines, checklists, and resources tailored for Irish organisations: nda.ie
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