Johnny UnarCompliance is the floor
Most companies approach accessibility the same way: ignore it until legal threatens, then hire a consultant to slap ARIA labels on everything and call it compliant. The result is a technically accessible site that's still unusable for people who actually need it. WCAG compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. Real accessibility means designing for the full spectrum of human ability — and it makes your product better for everyone.
The curb cut effect
Consider the curb cut effect. Curb cuts were designed for wheelchair users, but they benefit parents with strollers, delivery workers with carts, travelers with luggage, and anyone who's ever rolled anything on wheels. The same principle applies to digital accessibility. Captions help deaf users — and everyone watching videos in a noisy cafe. High contrast helps low-vision users — and everyone using their phone in direct sunlight. Keyboard navigation helps motor-impaired users — and every power user who hates reaching for the mouse.
The business case
The business case is undeniable. 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability — that's 16% of the global population and over $13 trillion in annual disposable income. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) takes effect in June 2025, requiring digital products and services to meet accessibility standards. Companies that treat a11y as an afterthought will face legal risk and lose customers. Companies that build it in from the start will capture a market their competitors are ignoring.
Start with semantics
Start with semantics. Use proper HTML elements — headings, landmarks, lists, buttons — instead of divs with click handlers. Test with a screen reader (VoiceOver on Mac, NVDA on Windows) at least once per sprint. Add axe-core to your CI pipeline to catch regressions automatically. Design with sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large text). Make all interactive elements keyboard-accessible. These aren't heroic efforts — they're basic craft. At steezr, accessibility is part of our definition of done, not a separate workstream.
