When it comes to creating an exceptional app user experience, understanding the importance of accessibility is crucial. Web accessibility statistics offer valuable insights into people with disabilities, disability inclusion, and how users navigate the web. In this article, we'll explore key statistics that highlight the significance of app accessibility and digital equity.
Disabilities Impact a Substantial Portion of the Population
The World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the world population, experience significant disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27% of adults have a disability. This means that brands with inaccessible apps are missing out on a sizable portion of their target audience.
Many Apps Fail to Meet Accessibility Standards
Despite guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), many apps still don't meet accessibility standards. A survey of the top 1 million websites found that 95.9% had detectable WCAG conformance failures on their homepages, with an average of 56.8 errors per page.
The Consequences of Inaccessible Apps
Inaccessibility lawsuits have risen in recent years, with 2,281 website accessibility lawsuits filed in 2023 alone. By implementing simple changes like adding alternative (alt) text to images and adjusting the color contrast on your app, you can reduce your risk of lawsuits and give your business a competitive advantage.
Basic Accessibility Widgets Are Not Enough
Many companies rely on widgets and overlays to meet web accessibility standards. However, these are not enough to achieve full compliance. In fact, one in five companies sued for website accessibility issues had an accessibility overlay or widget on their site.
Investing in a Dedicated Web Accessibility Platform
To achieve true compliance with all major accessibility guidelines and legislation, consider investing in a dedicated web accessibility platform that allows you to easily monitor accessibility issues and manually address them.
The Benefits of Accessible Apps
Providing an accessible app can have numerous benefits beyond lawsuit prevention. By creating an inclusive experience, you can gain a competitive advantage, increase market share, and generate more sales revenue. In fact, individuals with disabilities control $1.2 trillion worldwide in annual disposable income.
Improving App Accessibility Creates a Competitive Advantage
Improving web accessibility creates a competitive advantage, opens your business up to a larger segment of the population, aligns with many SEO best practices to help online rankings, and increases customer satisfaction.
What Do These Statistics Mean for Your App?
The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, not everyone has the same experience when using apps and websites. The next step is to take the underlying lessons presented by these disability and accessibility facts and use them to inform the way you design and maintain your app.
Are Your Digital Properties Accessible?
At Acquia, we understand that one size doesn't fit all, especially when it comes to web accessibility compliance. Our Acquia Web Governance platform ensures your website complies with all major guidelines. Get started on your journey toward a more accessible digital experience by requesting a free scan of your existing app.