Designing for Everyone: Why Accessibility Must Lead Your Digital Strategy

Digital transformation is about more than technology, it’s about people. As AI-powered technology continues to gain traction, keeping the human at the centre of design is even more important.

There are over 16 million people living with a disability in the UK today: that’s nearly 1 in 4 (24%). Despite this, most websites still fall short on basic accessibility standards. This huge oversight means a huge group of users are being let down and under-served.

Why does accessibility get overlooked?

Accessibility is still widely minimised and misunderstood.

Too often, it’s incorrectly thought to affect a handful of users. A common stereotype views these users' requirements as solely related to physical aspects, such as visual disabilities, but their needs extend far beyond that.

Neurodiversity, cognitive vulnerability and other disabilities are not well understood. Without practical guidance, these things can feel abstract, possibly even overwhelming, so training and experience turning empathy into design is so important. Often, designing for these users improves digital experiences for everyone.

“It’s too expensive,” or “it’s too time-consuming.”

There’s a myth that accessibility can slow down delivery times or add unnecessary complexity. The truth is that retrofitting accessibility features after launch can increase costs by up to 20%, compared to less than 1% when planned from the start. That’s not just good design, it’s better for users and therefore better for business.

The extra budget includes reworking code, redesigning interfaces, and conducting additional testing. Early investment avoids disruption, reduces technical debt, and ensures your digital estate is future-proof.

It lacks ownership and accountability.

Accessibility can fall through the cracks of an organisation, especially with bigger teams. Unless there is clear responsibility for accessibility: a dedicated team, role and/or champion (ideally all of the above) then it won’t get a seat at the table where decisions are made, budget is agreed… and it certainly won’t be considered early enough in the process.

It’s not measured effectively.

A key reason accessibility is often overlooked is that it isn’t directly associated with the metrics that influence decision-making processes. If it isn't clearly enhancing conversion rates, engagement, or return on investment, it may be downgraded to a "nice to have" instead of a crucial part of the strategy.

Here are some examples of business goals where accessibility-first web development can play a big part:

• Search engine optimisation (SEO): semantic HTML, fast load times, and clear navigation improve both accessibility and search rankings.
• User retention: When users with disabilities can navigate and interact with your site easily, they’re more likely to stay, return, and convert.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Meeting standards like WCAG 2.2 and the Equality Act 2010 helps avoid reputational and legal risks.
• Brand experience: Inclusive design communicates empathy, professionalism, and innovation. It also builds loyalty and peer-to-peer recommendations, especially among underrepresented groups.

When accessibility is tracked like any other performance metric, it becomes part of the conversation, not an afterthought.

The way forward: inclusion drives innovation

Accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have: it’s a strategic imperative. With nearly one in four people in the UK living with a disability, designing for inclusion means designing for relevance, reach, and resilience.

At evensix, we embed accessibility from day one. It’s not an add-on—it’s a mindset that shapes better outcomes for everyone. Accessibility is a shared responsibility, built into our workflows and reviews, so products remain usable and welcoming for everyone as they grow.

Key takeaways: lead with accessibility

• Make it a priority. Assign clear ownership, set measurable goals, and include accessibility in your digital strategy.
• Build it into your process. From planning to QA, ensure accessibility is part of every stage.
• Empower your teams. Provide training and shared standards so everyone contributes. Include a section on accessibility/inclusivity in your brand guidelines.
• Go beyond compliance. Meeting WCAG is the bare minimum now. True innovation  means creating intuitive, respectful experiences.