Accessibility and Leadership: Building an Inclusive Digital Future

The importance of accessibility cannot be overstated. Yet, despite significant strides in physical accessibility, the digital world continues to lag, often leaving millions of people excluded from essential services. This gap isn’t just a technical oversight - it’s a leadership failure. 

In an exclusive panel session hosted by Jadu, the leading provider of low-code accessible web experiences, industry leaders and experts came together to discuss innovative solutions and strategies to bridge this digital divide.  

Jadu is proud to be an Event Partner for AbilityNet’s TechShare Pro conference, Europe’s largest conference on accessibility and disability inclusion. This year, Jadu will not only be participating but also host several sessions. Don’t miss out – get your ticket today! 

In the panel, Suraj Kika, CEO at Jadu, James Jacobs, Accessibility Lead at Jadu, and Robin Christopherson, Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet discuss the critical need for leadership in accessibility, AI, and next-generation technologies. 

The digital accessibility crisis 

Robin started the discussion by comparing the digital world to its physical counterpart. In the physical world, the absence of accessibility features like ramps or elevators is not only seen as unacceptable but also damaging to a brand’s reputation. However, when it comes to digital spaces - websites, apps, and online services - accessibility is often neglected, leaving many millions of disabled people unable to access vital services online. This digital exclusion became glaringly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people, including disabled users, were unable to order food or access public services online. 

James added to this by pointing out that digital accessibility issues are often invisible to the average user. Simple elements like an improperly coded button can render a website unusable for someone relying on a screen reader or speech recognition software. This lack of awareness among developers, combined with insufficient training in accessibility, perpetuates the problem. Often, digital accessibility is treated as an afterthought, a “tech problem” relegated to IT departments rather than being recognised as a fundamental aspect of service design. 

Leadership and culture: The real fix 

Suraj emphasised that the root of the problem lies not in the technicalities but in leadership and culture. He argued that accessibility should be embedded in the culture of an organisation from the top down. When leaders understand the importance of accessibility - not just as a compliance issue but as a business imperative - it becomes an integral part of the organisation’s DNA. Accessibility should be baked into every layer of the organisation, from development processes to procurement practices, ensuring that it is not just an afterthought but a priority. 

Jadu remains committed to inspiring its team to champion accessibility. In partnership with AbilityNet, Jadu organised an accessibility-focused internal team event to kick off its mission to become “the World’s most accessible digital platform.” Read more about Jadu's impactful event. 

Robin supported this view, highlighting the importance of a maturity model approach to digital accessibility. Such a model allows organisations to assess where they currently stand and identify areas for improvement. By involving end users and ensuring accessibility is part of the day-to-day operations, organisations can move away from the reactive “test and fix” approach and instead integrate accessibility into every stage of development. 

The role of legislation and the business case for accessibility 

While the panellists agreed that culture and leadership are crucial, they also acknowledged the role of legislation in driving change.  

Robin expressed support for legislation with “teeth,” arguing that strong enforcement can compel organisations to take accessibility seriously. He cited the example of Norway, where proactive monitoring and significant fines have led to swift compliance from companies. 

Suraj pointed out that while it’s unfortunate that regulations are often the primary driver for accessibility, they are effective. He praised the UK’s public sector for leading the way, thanks to regulations like the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR). However, he also noted that in the private sector, there is still much room for improvement. For Suraj, the ultimate goal should be for organisations to see accessibility not just as a legal requirement but as a significant business benefit. 

The future of accessibility in an AI-driven world 

The conversation inevitably turned to the future, particularly the role of AI in accessibility. Suraj and Robin both highlighted the potential for AI to revolutionise how we approach digital accessibility. As AI continues to evolve, it will play a crucial role in making content more accessible, not just for people but also for machines. This is particularly important as organisations increasingly rely on AI to drive business decisions and customer interactions. 

James, however, urged caution, noting that while AI offers exciting possibilities, it is not yet a silver bullet for accessibility. He pointed out that AI tools like ChatGPT are still prone to errors, particularly when generating code for accessible websites. Nevertheless, the panel agreed that AI’s potential is vast, and as technology improves, it will become an invaluable tool in making the digital world more inclusive. 

Final takeaways: What leaders can do now 

The panel concluded with a call to action for business leaders. The consensus was clear: to truly become AI-ready and ensure that their organisations are inclusive, leaders must prioritise accessibility now. This means educating themselves on the business benefits of accessibility, identifying and empowering passionate individuals within their organisations, and leveraging tools like AbilityNet’s Digital Accessibility Maturity Model to assess and improve their current practices. 

By embedding accessibility into the culture of their organisations, leaders can ensure that their digital spaces are not just compliant with regulations but are truly inclusive, providing equal access to all users. 

This blog summarises Jadu’s Accessibility Panel: Lead on accessibility and you’ll be AI-ready video. Watch the video recording below.