What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility involves designing digital content, services, and tools so that they are usable by all individuals, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. This means making digital interfaces adaptable to various needs, such as enabling screen reader navigation for visually impaired users, adjusting color contrasts for colorblind users or those viewing screens in bright light, and providing text alternatives for deaf users or those in noisy environments. Special attention is also given to content structure and “keyboard-friendly” features, which are essential for users who cannot use a mouse.
In Europe, this field is strictly regulated by several standards and regulations. The General Reference for Accessibility Improvement (RGAA) defines the standards to be followed in France, while the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 serve as an international reference. Additionally, European directive 2016/2102 requires public and private services in the European Union to ensure the accessibility of their digital tools, thereby reinforcing the legal obligation for businesses.
Why is digital accessibility a business issue?
In Europe, digital accessibility is no longer optional but a legal obligation governed by binding regulations. The European directive 2016/2102, transposed into French law through RGAA 4.1, requires companies to publicly declare their level of accessibility and implement corrective measures to improve. Contrary to popular belief, the law does not require immediate and perfect compliance but mandates transparency (through an accessibility statement) and commitment to continuous improvement.
Sanctions for non-compliance with accessibility obligations are real and increasingly enforced. In July 2025, major retailers such as Auchan, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, and Picard Surgelés were formally notified by the DINUM(Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs) for their online grocery services. The reason? These companies had not made their platforms compliant with RGAA (General Reference for Accessibility Improvement) and had not implemented the necessary corrections to make their services usable by everyone, particularly people with disabilities.
Solutions like Fruggr allow for the semi-automation of audits and progress tracking, providing IT departments and digital teams with real-time visibility on their compliance and priority actions to undertake.
Impact on user experience and inclusion: a virtuous cycle for all
Digital accessibility is not limited to addressing the needs of people with disabilities. It represents much more: an opportunity to improve the user experience for all visitors, with direct impacts on commercial performance and brand image.
From a purely business perspective, the numbers speak for themselves. 68% of internet users leave a website due to poor user experience. According to Manuel Pereira, head of the accessibility department at the Valentin Haüy Association: “I learned from a global corporation that failing to make its products accessible to people with disabilities cost it between 1 and 1.5% of its global revenue.” Source: OpenStudio, 2025
The “positive rebound effect”: when accessibility benefits everyone
One of the most interesting aspects of accessibility is what could be called a “positive rebound effect”: improvements designed for a specific audience end up benefiting everyone.
Let’s take a non-digital example: **lowered curbs(**Ramp from elevated sidewalk to road). Initially designed to facilitate access for wheelchair users, they prove useful for a multitude of users parents with strollers, elderly people, delivery personnel, or even hurried pedestrians.
In the digital world, the principle is the same. Adapted color contrasts help visually impaired users but also improve readability for all users, including those viewing screens in bright light. Subtitles for videos, originally designed for deaf people, become essential for anyone watching a video without sound, in transit or in an open office. Keyboard-optimized navigation facilitates use for people with limited mobility but also appeals to advanced users who prefer shortcuts.
A boon for brand image and inclusion
Beyond the concrete benefits for UX and commercial performance, accessibility also strengthens brand image and contributes to a more inclusive society. According to a study by IAS, 42% of consumers might turn away from a brand that does not take sufficient measures to support diversity and inclusion, even if they are regular users of its products. Furthermore, 38% would go so far as to boycott companies that do not take diversity and inclusion seriously.
In a market where only 12% of European companies fully exploit this lever, positioning in favor of accessibility becomes a major competitive advantage. Finally, by making your services accessible, you actively participate in building a fairer society while tapping into an often underestimated market: 1.3 billion people worldwide affected by disabilities.
The ROI of accessibility: three pillars to master
Digital accessibility is not just a legal or ethical obligation: it represents an economic performance lever that is often underestimated. Its impact can be measured through three main pillars, each contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of companies while improving the user experience. Let’s examine how these dimensions transform an apparent constraint into a tangible business opportunity.
Reducing IT costs: anticipate to avoid exponential expenses
An impact study conducted by Forrester Research on behalf of Microsoft highlighted a key finding: integrating accessibility into existing development cycles is not just a constraint but a source of significant savings. When technological updates or design overhauls systematically incorporate accessibility principles alongside other best practices, maintenance and support costs are notably reduced. This proactive approach avoids costly post-hoc corrections and optimizes resources allocated to development.
In France, non-compliance with RGAA exposes companies to fines of up to €20,000, not to mention the costs associated with formal notices or legal disputes, as reminded by the CNIL in its 2023 annual report. Thus, a proactive approach transforms a “constrained” expense into a profitable investment while freeing up resources for future projects.
Improved SEO: an underrated asset
Digital accessibility and natural search engine optimization (SEO) are closely linked, although this synergy is often underestimated. Google, like other search engines, indirectly penalizes non-accessible sites, not through explicit sanctions but because these sites offer a degraded user experience, a central criterion in ranking algorithms.
According to an analysis published by AccessiWay, platforms that comply with accessibility standards (such as WCAG) benefit from better positioning in search results. The reason is simple: an accessible site is, by definition, better structured, more readable, and easier to navigate, all qualities that Google’s algorithms prioritize.
This correlation is explained by several mechanisms. First, alternative tags (alt text) for images, essential for visually impaired users, also allow search engines to better understand and index visual content. Second, a clear hierarchy of headings (H1, H2, H3) facilitates reading for users and indexing robots, improving rankings. Finally, optimized color contrasts and intuitive navigation reduce bounce rates, a positive signal for algorithms.
In short, an accessible site is not only more inclusive: it is also more performant, as it meets the technical and qualitative requirements of search engines.
Competitive advantages and innovation: accessibility as a lever for differentiation and creativity
In an increasingly saturated digital landscape, where companies fiercely compete for users’ attention, accessibility emerges as an often overlooked strategic lever. However, brands that integrate this dimension into their digital strategy do more than just comply with regulations: they differentiate themselves, innovate, and expand their market. According to a study by W3C (2023), only 12% of European companies fully comply with accessibility standards, leaving a major opportunity for those willing to commit to this path.
Accessibility is not just a technical constraint: it stimulates creativity and inspires features useful to all. Microsoft is a prime example with its Immersive Reader, initially designed for dyslexic individuals. Today, this tool is integrated into Word and Edge and used by millions of users, with or without disabilities. Similarly, automatic subtitles or voice commands, developed for people with disabilities, have become standard features for the general public. These innovations, born from accessibility, demonstrate that designing for all can become a growth driver.
Digital accessibility: a profitable investment starting today
While many still perceive it as a legal constraint or an optional initiative, accessibility is actually a strategic lever with immediate returns. By integrating it into the design of your digital projects, you reduce costs (fewer expensive corrections, fewer legal risks), improve your SEO (optimized structure, better ranking), and strengthen your competitive position (innovation, brand image, loyalty).
Thus, you do more than just comply with regulations: you expand your audience, build user loyalty, and secure the future of your business in an ever-evolving digital environment.
