Take a moment to think about the people in your life who are over the age of 65. Now consider this: according to Age UK, more than 40% of those in this age group are living with a disability. As we age, the likelihood of developing a disability increases, whether through mobility challenges, vision impairment, hearing loss, or cognitive decline.
The truth is, if we are lucky enough to grow old, many of us will face accessibility challenges in our lifetime. This is why accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements or serving a small segment of the population. It’s about creating systems, products, and services that can adapt to the inevitable changes in our abilities over time.
“Around 11% of children, 21% of working-age adults, and 46% of adults over State Pension age have a disability.”*
Why Accessibility Matters More Than Ever
The world is ageing at an unprecedented rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, one in six people globally will be over the age of 65. In Europe, that number will be closer to one in four. This shift means more people than ever will need accessible solutions to navigate the digital and physical world. Yet, despite this growing need, accessibility is often treated as an afterthought.
Accessibility is not a box-ticking exercise for compliance, or worse, something addressed only after someone raises a complaint. This reactive approach not only alienates users but also costs organisations time and money to retrofit accessibility into systems that weren’t designed with it in mind.
Build Accessibility In From the Start
Accessibility should never be an add-on. When it’s integrated into a project from the beginning, it becomes a seamless part of the design and development process. This proactive approach ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can use your products or services.
At smart, forward thinking companies we embrace this philosophy. Building accessibility into our systems from day one means designing processes with usability for all in mind. By conducting accessibility audits and engaging directly with users who had lived experience of disabilities, you can ensure that your platforms are functional, intuitive, and equitable.
The Business Case for Accessibility
Beyond the ethical value, accessibility is good for business. Research from the UK government’s Click-Away Pound Survey (2019) revealed that inaccessible websites cost businesses £17.1 billion annually in lost revenue. As populations age, this figure is only set to grow unless organisations act now. Investing in accessibility isn’t just a matter of compliance. It opens doors to new markets, enhances brand reputation, and fosters innovation by challenging teams to think creatively. So are you watching money slip away?
If accessibility isn’t currently part of your processes, the first step is an audit. This doesn’t mean running your website through an automated tool and calling it a day. Effective audits combine automated checks with manual testing by professionals who understand the nuanced needs of users with disabilities.
For example, while a tool might flag issues like missing alt text or poor colour contrast, only a human tester can evaluate whether navigation flows intuitively or whether error messages are clear and actionable.
Accessibility is For Everyone
Disability is not a niche issue. It touches all of us, either directly or indirectly, at some point in our lives. By prioritising accessibility, we’re not just serving those who need it today. We’re future-proofing our systems for the inevitable changes we will all face.
Let’s build a world where ageing doesn’t mean losing access, and where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully and with dignity.