In today’s rapidly evolving world, the concepts of inclusion and accessibility have become buzzwords in many industries. Companies and organizations proudly tout their inclusive policies and accessible services. However, there’s a growing concern that these terms are being diluted, their true meanings lost in superficial applications. To foster genuine inclusion, we must recognize that accessibility is not just a checkbox but the very backbone of an inclusive society.

Why Accessibility is Central to Inclusion

Accessibility is the foundation upon which inclusion is built. Without ensuring that everyone can access spaces, information, and services, any talk of inclusion is merely lip service. True accessibility means that people with disabilities can participate equally in all aspects of life. It’s not just about physical access but also about removing barriers in communication, technology, and attitudes.

When we prioritize accessibility, we create environments where diversity thrives. People with disabilities, the elderly, non-native speakers, and others who might face barriers are empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. This enrichment benefits everyone, fostering innovation, empathy, and understanding within communities.

The Importance of Technical Accessibility

While many organizations focus on surface-level inclusivity, they often overlook (and sometimes even underrate) technical accessibility—a critical component that should underpin all other efforts. Technical accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments so that they are usable by people with the widest range of abilities.

For example, a website may feature inclusive language, but if it’s not navigable by screen readers or doesn’t support keyboard navigation, it’s excluding a significant portion of the population. Technical accessibility ensures that all the foundational elements are in place so that additional inclusive practices can build upon a solid base.

Neglecting technical accessibility is like constructing a building without the foundations. No matter how beautiful the facade is, the structure is unstable. By embedding accessibility into the core of our designs and services, we create a robust platform for true inclusion.

The Misconception That Technical Accessibility Is Solved

Some believe that we’ve already solved technical accessibility and can now shift our focus to other aspects of inclusion. However, this is far from the truth. Studies like the WebAIM Million — a survey that evaluates the accessibility of the top one million homepages — reveal that a vast number of websites still suffer from fundamental accessibility issues. These problems aren’t about advanced features or edge cases; they’re basic elements like missing alt text for images, poor color contrast, and unlabeled form fields. Such oversights prevent people with disabilities from accessing information and services that others take for granted.

This ongoing prevalence of elementary accessibility barriers emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize technical accessibility. We can’t move forward to more advanced inclusivity initiatives when the foundational needs of many users remain unmet. Ignoring these issues perpetuates exclusion and contradicts the very principles of inclusion we aim to uphold.

The Pitfalls of Surface-Level Inclusion

There’s a growing trend where organizations adopt superficial measures of inclusion — like adding a children’s corner or installing a few accessible parking spots, without ensuring the building itself is accessible — without addressing deeper systemic barriers. While these actions may appear progressive, they often replace meaningful change with token gestures.

I’ve attended numerous conferences where speakers delivered captivating talks about ambitious goals, such as getting wheelchair users into space. Yet, these very conferences failed to provide basic accessibility measures for participants with visual or hearing impairments. This paradox highlights a disconnect between aspirational messages and actual practices. Grand visions of inclusion ring hollow when fundamental accessibility needs are neglected in the very settings that promote these ideas.

Such approaches are problematic because they can placate calls for inclusivity without requiring substantial effort or change. They may even mask underlying issues, giving the illusion that all is well while significant barriers remain unaddressed.

Moreover, many of these gestures were once considered common courtesy or standard practice. Elevating them to the status of inclusive initiatives diminishes the seriousness of true inclusion efforts. It’s essential to recognize that inclusion is not about doing the bare minimum or what should already be a societal norm; it’s about actively breaking down barriers and challenging systems that perpetuate exclusion.

We must remember that accessibility exists primarily for people with disabilities. While accessible design can benefit everyone, it’s essential not to sideline or overlook the needs of this group. Failing to prioritize their requirements not only undermines the purpose of accessibility but also perpetuates exclusion even further. By centering our efforts on people with disabilities, we ensure that accessibility measures genuinely serve those who need them most.

A practical example of this is when Czech Television released a press statement promoting the accessibility of their online platform, iVysílání.cz, a couple of years ago. Despite their claims, based on statements from their then-accessibility consultants, the interface was initially unusable for many users with disabilities. It wasn’t until they began collaborating with true experts in accessibility — including those with disabilities — that significant improvements were made. This underscores the importance of involving real users in accessibility efforts to ensure that solutions are effective and genuinely inclusive.

Moving Beyond the Surface

To foster genuine inclusion, organizations must commit to:

• Assessing and Improving Technical Accessibility: Regularly evaluate whether products, services, and environments are truly accessible to all, and make necessary improvements.
• Engaging End-Users: Involve people from diverse backgrounds in planning and decision-making processes to ensure that inclusion efforts meet real needs.
• Educating and Training: Provide ongoing education about accessibility and inclusion to all members of the organization to foster a culture of empathy and understanding.
• Avoiding Tokenism: Ensure that inclusion efforts are substantive and not just symbolic gestures that scratch the surface.
• Collaborating with True Accessibility Experts: Partner with genuine experts in accessibility (IAAP Certification might help to find them) whose insights help focus on the most critical issues. Their expertise ensures that accessibility measures are effective and address the actual needs of users with disabilities.

Conclusion

Accessibility is not an optional add-on; it’s the backbone of any genuine inclusion effort. By focusing on technical accessibility and moving beyond superficial gestures, we can create environments where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully. It’s time to commit to meaningful change, ensuring that inclusion is deeply rooted in accessibility and reflected in every aspect of our society.