Collaboration Sparks Accessibility Innovation

Accessible solutions often benefit society as a whole. When companies set out to solve product or business challenges for people with disabilities, these solutions generally give way to innovations that provide advantages for the overall population. 

The automatic door is one example of an innovation initially designed for disabled individuals but enjoyed by the general population. In the U.S., disability rights experienced a surge in awareness and progress during the 1970’s. During this time, motion sensors were added to automatic doors, allowing people with disabilities easy access to public spaces. Nowadays, we barely notice this invention as we walk into public spaces like our local grocery stores and pharmacies. 

The usability of this invention—initially designed as an accessibility tool—cannot be denied. In fact, 98.9% of consumers prefer automatic doors. What was initially designed to help the disabled community has become an invisible luxury for others. 

The usability of accessible innovations doesn’t stop there. Other everyday activities we enjoy, such as listening to an audiobook or texting a loved one, also began as a means to help people with disabilities.

Accessibility for Some, Usability for All

In our most recent HearSay podcast episode, Tom Wlodkowski, current Vice President of Accessibility for Comcast, discussed this principle, highlighting that focusing on accessibility for some results in greater usability for all. 

Specifically, Tom engineered a way to make Xfinity’s set-top box accessible via a self-voicing interface, creating — for the first time — an accessible cable experience for Blind people. His team’s innovation benefited people with permanent, situational, or temporary visual disabilities and those who simply don’t want to fiddle with a remote to search through cable programs. Thus, an innovation used daily by millions of people was born out of the need for an accessible solution.

How did Tom know to focus on voice guidance as a means of improving accessibility? Earlier in his career, he learned the importance of involving the voices of those within the disabled community.

Spark Innovation with Collaboration

During his time at AOL, Tom organized an advisory committee of members with varying 

disabilities. He invited those with visual, physical, cognitive, and other disabilities to give early and frequent feedback during the design and development processes of AOL’s technological advancements to its user interface. From there, he explained that the community grew and matured, contributing valuable insights throughout various projects. 

On this point, Tom is always clear — every innovation begins with collaboration. While collaboration is often seen as essential between internal departments, it’s often overlooked when it comes to serving customers, especially those with disabilities. If businesses do not involve customers in the development and ideation process, purposeful innovation is less likely to occur. The earlier a business involves its community, the more accessible and usable the product. 

In the U.S. alone, 1 in 4 adults, or roughly 28% of the population (93 million people), have a disability. That is a staggering number of people to leave out of the equation. 

Companies miss opportunities for innovation when they don’t collaborate with their community, including those with disabilities. In our podcast, Tom urged listeners to “just get started” when it comes to accessibility. Here are a few best practices recommended by our team at AudioEye: 

1) Have an executive champion of accessibility. Prioritizing accessibility starts at the top. As Tom did in Comcast, each business should have an executive who prioritizes accessibility initiatives with consumers and employees alike. 

2) Involve people with disabilities in design and development processes. Begin a community for focus groups, product testing, etc, as a foundation to build accessible experiences and products. When we involve people with disabilities in the process, opportunities for innovation are born.

Want to listen to Tom’s whole interview, including the story behind his Oscar-winning ad campaign, Emily’s Oz? Check out the entire HearSay episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcast. 

Not sure where to start your company’s digital accessibility journey? We’ve got you covered! Use AudioEye’s website accessibility scanner for a free accessibility scan.