Imagine trying to navigate a website without being able to see the screen—where would you click? Or trying to watch a video tutorial without being able to hear the audio. For the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with visual impairments and the 430 million with disabling hearing loss, these aren't hypothetical scenarios—they're daily situations that transform common digital tasks into frustrating challenges. 

Add to this the millions who struggle with motor control issues, cognitive differences, or temporary disabilities, and the importance of digital accessibility becomes clear: it's not a niche concern, but a fundamental human right. And while digital technology has revolutionised in many ways how we live and work, its promise of “connectivity for all” still remains unavailable for many.

One persistent challenge is the misconception that accessibility only affects a small percentage of users. Some organisations might view it as affecting a small fraction of their users and not worth prioritising. However, digital accessibility isn't just about accommodating people with disabilities—it's about creating products that work for everyone.

Why accessibility matters - and why it will matter even more in the future

As we age, our sensory capabilities naturally decline, meaning virtually everyone will require accessibility features at some point in their lives. But there is another increasing issue: a growing epidemic of shortsightedness around the world. A recent study estimated by 2050, almost 50% will be myopic, which is a staggering 5 billion people. 

The rising use of mobile devices among younger generations is also contributing to increased vision problems, with more children experiencing astigmatism and other visual impairments early on. This isn't just a demographic shift—it's a wake-up call. With half the world's population projected to need visual assistance within decades, accessibility isn't just a feature, it's a requirement for the future of digital products. 

From a compliance checkbox to a strategic priority

With the European Accessibility Act set to take effect in June 2025, organisations face a legal directive, but also an opportunity to bridge this digital divide. Similar to GDPR's impact on privacy, this legislation will require private companies to ensure their digital products are accessible, with potential fines for non-compliance. The law will affect both European companies and international organisations operating within Europe.

But the EAA isn't just about compliance—it's designed to create lasting societal benefits. For individuals with disabilities and the elderly, the Act promises a more inclusive digital future through:

• Broader access to everyday digital services and products
• More competitive pricing as the market for accessible solutions expands
• Reduced barriers in critical areas like transportation, education, and employment
• New career opportunities in accessibility consulting and inclusive design

When EAA gets enforced, businesses that invest in accessible products and services will gain a competitive advantage. As consumers with disabilities seek accessible options, companies that meet these needs have an opportunity to increase their customer base.

Integrating accessibility from day one

At In The Pocket, we believe that the most effective approach to accessibility is integrating it from the start of product development. Correcting accessibility features later is not only more expensive but often results in flawed solutions. This "accessibility-first" mindset requires involvement from every corner of the organisation:

• Research teams help define strategy and users
• Design teams must consider accessibility in their initial concepts
• Development teams need to implement proper technical standards
• Content teams should ensure all materials are accessible
• Customer service should be available through multiple channels to accommodate different needs

Early-stage prototyping plays a crucial role in this holistic approach. By creating mockups and interactive models that address diverse needs—from visual and auditory to cognitive and motor—teams can identify and eliminate barriers before they become embedded in the final product. Focusing on key technical considerations early (such as color contrast, text clarity, and screen reader compatibility) not only ensures Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance but also creates superior products for all users.

To guide this process, WCAG provides three different levels of accessibility compliance (Level A: Basic accessibility features; Level AA: Enhanced accessibility features; Level AAA: Highest level of accessibility). 

However, achieving a high level of compliance isn’t a one-time achievement. To maintain and validate accessibility standards, organisations should implement a comprehensive testing strategy:

• Automated testing tools for basic compliance
• Manual testing with screen readers and other assistive technologies
• User testing with diverse participants
• Regular accessibility audits to maintain standards

This comprehensive approach we practice at In The Pocket—combining proactive design, systematic testing, and continuous validation—doesn't just meet accessibility standards; it creates products that are inherently more usable, maintainable, and future-proof. In today's digital landscape, that's not just good ethics—it's good business.

Our commitment to accessibility for all

In recent years, we have embedded accessibility practices across our cross-functional teams— product designers, managers, engineers, and QA specialists—developing frameworks for user research, accessibility guidelines, and best practices. We've shared this knowledge through workshops at our internal events, as well as on our annual Shift event, helping both colleagues and clients better understand inclusive design principles. And to further strengthen our expertise, we prioritise team-wide education and IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) certification.

We've developed a simplified version of the WCAG guidelines to make them more accessible to newcomers. During our user research, we identified a significant challenge: many prototyping tools weren't suitable for testing with visually impaired users. That’s why we created an Accessible Prototyping report that goes into depth on what tools are best for specific accessibility needs. Additionally, the audits we do for our clients help them improve the accessibility of their existing and future products. We also share insights over at In The Pocket Design on how to design better accessible components like Bottom Sheets, Forms, and Animations.

A crucial aspect of approaching accessibility at In The Pocket lies in building truly diverse teams. Team members from varied backgrounds bring invaluable perspectives to product development. Our colleagues' varied experiences directly improve our products—from team members with non-Roman names identifying text validation issues to those with colour vision deficiency enhancing graph readability. By fostering an inclusive environment that values lived experience, we create products that truly work for everyone.

Creating an inclusive digital future

The future of digital accessibility isn't only a technological challenge—it's a mindset revolution. Just as we no longer debate whether to make products secure or scalable, accessibility must become an inherent part of how we think about digital experiences. The most successful organisations understand this shift, meaning they're not just implementing accessible features, they're fundamentally changing how they conceive, design, and develop products.

And what about accessibility and new technologies like VR and AI? With emerging technologies, accessibility considerations become even more complex, requiring creative approach and merging of technologies. For example, XR applications need to consider both visual and audio alternatives but AI assistants can be very helpful in bridging accessibility gaps through voice interfaces.

Regardless of what technologies we use, the future of accessibility lies in creating inclusive experiences that work for everyone, regardless of their abilities or preferences. This means:

• Designing with flexibility in mind
• Supporting multiple interaction methods
• Ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies
• Creating seamless experiences across different ability levels

By understanding and implementing the accessibility principles, organisations will create more inclusive digital experiences that serve all users, for generations to come.

‍