What is accessibility and why does it matter?

Accessibility refers to whether people can engage in what you’re offering. If something is accessible, more people can engage with it. Accessibility is about making sure that people with diverse backgrounds have an equal opportunity to take part, removing barriers that exclude certain groups of people. 

For example, I want Inspirational Voices to be an accessible project. I have a good understanding of different needs and how to make something accessible to a wide range of people; improving accessibility has been a key part of my work for several years, so I’m pretty up-to-speed with knowing what should be done and why. 

That said, there are fundamental flaws in the accessibility of this project. I’ve tried to limit their impact as much as I can, but very few things can be fully accessible for everybody - although, that is no excuse to not try!

After my interview with BBC Tees yesterday, I spent some time walking around town, handing out posters to local organisations and chatting with people about what I’m doing. While doing this, I was stopped by a homeless chap asking for 40p. 

Now, side note here, but I don’t carry cash. However, yesterday, I did actually have a little loose change in my purse. It was only a little over a pound, but it was enough for this gentleman to buy himself a coffee, so I was more than happy to hand it over. 

I’ll talk with anybody, and I had the time to spare yesterday afternoon, so we stood chatting for around 15 minutes. Seeing the posters in my hand, he asked what I was doing. I handed him one, but without the ability to read, he didn’t know what it said. 

Accessibility flaw number one. 

This was easily overcome. I read the poster out to him and explained the project, answering any questions that he had. He liked the sound of it and asked how he could apply - great! I pointed out the QR code on the leaflet, and asked if he had a mobile phone to scan it with. No. 

Accessibility flaw number two, and three and four!

He couldn't access the application form, and the alternative methods available still required him to have a phone. He wouldn't be able to fill in the form if he could apply, as I need to take a contact number or email to tell applicants if they're successful or not. How would he find out where and when to turn up for filming if I can't get in touch with him?

He did not have friends with a mobile phone that he could lend, however he mentioned that he goes to a local support centre daily and would ask them if they could help. 

Now this is all well and good, and we discussed a plan forward for him, but a project that aims to tackle social issues and has accessibility at its core is still not accessible to the very people it aims to help.

I am committed to fulfilling any reasonable adjustments to ensure that guests can take part, but if they can’t even apply in the first place, the best intentions don't mean much! 

Still using this chap as an example of what I mean, there are several reasonable adjustments - things that remove barriers and help make something more accessible for people with additional needs - that I could make to help him take part. For example, we could find a suitable hotel for him to stay in the night before filming, to help him get a good sleep and have a safe, private space to get ready the day of. We could buy new clothes to help him feel his best in front of the camera. I could ensure that the location for filming is within a suitable distance for him to attend, or arrange transport to get him there on the day. For under £100, I could help this gentleman feel comfortable, respected, and welcome to be a part of the project.

But, without a phone, without being able to read the poster, without being able to apply in the first place, any potential reasonable adjustments to the filming process mean diddly squat. 

Now, Inspirational Voices is a small project which, at this point, doesn’t mean a great deal in the grand scheme of things to many people. However, if we look a little wider, the importance of accessibility becomes abundantly clear. It impacts all areas of life - from work to pleasure. 

If your job adverts and hiring processes aren’t accessible, you’re limiting the talent that can come into your organisation in the first place. If the environment isn’t accessible, you won’t get the best from your employees, and risk them going somewhere else where their needs are better met. Plus, you open yourself up to potential legal challenges too! 

If you have a public facing business without accessible premises, you’re already losing money. The Purple Pound - the name given to the collective spending power of disabled households in the UK - brings around £274 BILLION PER YEAR to the economy! (UK Parliament statistics, 2024). Supermarkets are losing a staggering £501 million each month by simply not being accessible. High street shops are not too far behind, losing £264 million each month. If you aren’t accessible for people with additional needs, this is money that you are missing out on without even realising it. 

Then we look at how inaccessibility effects the people that need it most. There’s the financial impact - it costs, on average, just shy of an additional £1,000 each month to live with a disability. Arguably even more important, there’s the personal impact too: imagine how you would feel - the shame, the anger, the sadness - at being told, even indirectly, you’re not welcome to take part in society because of a fundamental part of who you are. Imagine spending hours planning out every aspect of your day - just to be able to do things that most people take for granted - and still not being welcome when you turn up.

Accessibility is most commonly associated with disability, but it’s beneficial to people from any marginalised background. In fact, accessibility done right is actually beneficial to everyone - additional needs or not. 

Do you like audiobooks? You have accessibility to thank. Do you use Alexa to turn on the lights? Accessibility. Ever been grateful for the yellow strip on the stairs after one too many in the nightclub? The subtitles on your favourite show when the kids are in bed and you want to keep the volume low? Yep, you guessed it, it’s all thanks to accessibility. 

Most accessibility issues are easy to overcome, but it’s always worth planning with accessibility in mind from the start. If you want to better understand accessibility and the changes your business can implement, book a free introductory call with me today!