In today’s digital world, accessibility is no longer optional – it’s essential. As businesses strive to be more inclusive, they’re realizing that accessible websites aren’t just a legal requirement; they’re a strategic advantage. Yet, misconceptions about accessibility often prevent organizations from making the necessary investment, resulting in missed opportunities and a limited audience reach.

The truth is, investing in accessibility offers significant benefits – from improved customer satisfaction to stronger brand loyalty. In this post, we’ll debunk four common myths about accessibility and show how prioritizing it can ultimately save your business time and money.

Myth 1: Accessibility is Too Expensive

The Myth

Many businesses believe that investing in accessibility is prohibitively expensive, often viewing it as an unnecessary cost rather than a valuable investment. This misconception can deter organizations from taking the necessary steps to make their websites accessible to all users.

The Reality

In truth, the cost of not investing in accessibility can far exceed the initial expenses associated with making your website compliant. By failing to address accessibility, businesses risk alienating a significant portion of potential customers—over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability (Source: World Health Organization). Additionally, companies that neglect accessibility may face legal risks, as many countries have laws and regulations requiring websites to be accessible. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits and fines.

The Opportunity

Investing in accessibility can lead to substantial returns. Research shows that companies prioritizing accessibility often see a significant return on investment (ROI). In fact, 51% of consumers are willing to pay more for products or services from businesses that prioritize web accessibility (Source: CapTech). Accessible websites can enhance customer engagement and satisfaction, translating into higher sales. When users can easily navigate and interact with your site, they are more likely to complete purchases and return for future visits.

By taking a strategic approach to accessibility audits, you can streamline the process and reduce costs. Instead of analyzing your entire website or application, focus on auditing a representative sample of UI-rich pages. This targeted method helps identify common accessibility issues that may appear across multiple pages. Our services follow this efficient approach, ensuring a cost-effective and performant audit process that delivers comprehensive insights without unnecessary overhead.

Myth 2: Accessibility is Only for People with Disabilities

The Myth

A common misconception is that accessibility is solely focused on individuals with disabilities. Many businesses believe that making their websites accessible is only necessary for a small segment of the population, leading them to overlook the broader implications of inclusive design.

The Reality

In reality, accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive product, such as a wheelchair or a mobile app that supports communication (Source: World Health Organization). Many users experience temporary impairments at some point in their lives – such as a broken arm, eye strain, or situational limitations like bright sunlight or noisy environments. Additionally, older adults may face challenges with vision, hearing, or mobility that make accessible design essential for their online experience.

The Opportunity

By prioritizing accessibility, you create a better user experience for all visitors to your website. Research shows that accessible design enhances usability, improving customer satisfaction and engagement. When websites are designed with inclusivity in mind, they become easier to navigate for everyone, regardless of their abilities.

In addition to improving the user experience, accessible websites can boost your brand’s reputation and attract a wider audience. Studies indicate that 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site if they encounter browsing issues, and 79% will visit a competitor’s site instead (Source: McKinsey). As consumers become increasingly aware of inclusivity, they are more likely to support brands that demonstrate a commitment to accessibility.

Our services go beyond standard accessibility checks – we also focus on improving the overall user experience. By combining accessibility best practices with UX insights, we can identify areas for improvement that may not fall under typical standards, ensuring your website is both inclusive and user-friendly.

Myth 3: Accessibility is a One-Time Fix

The Myth

A common misconception is that once a website has been made accessible, it will remain accessible indefinitely. Many organizations believe that they can implement changes once and then move on, assuming their site will continue to meet accessibility standards without further attention.

The Reality

In truth, accessibility is an ongoing process that requires regular updates and maintenance. Websites are dynamic; content changes frequently, new features are added, and technology evolves. As a result, what may have been accessible at one point can become non-compliant over time due to these changes.

The Opportunity

Ensuring long-term accessibility requires a proactive, ongoing approach. Regular audits and user testing help identify and resolve new challenges as they arise. Integrating CI/CD solutions can further streamline this by automating accessibility checks during development, keeping new content and features compliant

Improving the developer environment with accessibility tools and training fosters a culture of inclusivity. By embedding accessibility into design and development from the start, you create a digital experience that benefits all users.

Treating accessibility as a continuous commitment – not a one-time task – drives better user satisfaction, engagement, and brand reputation, positioning your organization to serve a diverse audience effectively.

Myth 4: Accessibility is Only About Legal Compliance

The Myth

Many organizations believe that the primary goal of accessibility is to meet legal requirements. They think that as long as they comply with regulations, they have fulfilled their responsibility to provide an accessible experience.

The Reality

While legal compliance is certainly important, it is only one aspect of accessibility. The true purpose of accessibility is to create an inclusive experience that allows all users, regardless of their abilities, to access and interact with your content effectively. Focusing solely on compliance can lead to a checkbox mentality, where organizations do the bare minimum without genuinely considering the needs of their users.

The Opportunity

Embracing accessibility as a core value – not just a legal requirement – unlocks valuable benefits. Prioritizing user experience strengthens your brand image, builds customer loyalty, and resonates with consumers who increasingly value inclusivity.

Accessibility improvements often enhance usability for all users, improving navigation, readability, and interaction – ultimately driving engagement and satisfaction.

By treating accessibility as a strategic priority, you can expand your reach, uncover new opportunities, and create a more positive impact. The goal is to deliver an inclusive experience that benefits everyone – not just to meet compliance standards.

Real-World Examples

At SolDevelo, we’ve successfully conducted accessibility audits for various projects, including OpenIMIS, OpenLMIS, and OpenMRS. These case studies showcase our commitment to improving digital inclusivity and ensuring that essential services are accessible to all users.

If you’re interested in accessibility testing, we encourage you to explore the audits we’ve performed for our partners. In these audits, we evaluated their software against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, identifying key areas for improvement and driving positive change.

Check out our case studies:

• Improving inclusivity: SolDevelo’s accessibility audit of openIMIS
• Accessibility matters: SolDevelo’s audit of OpenLMIS
• Bridging the digital divide: Advancing digital healthcare accessibility in OpenMRS