ADC releases new report on digital accessibility for companies

Following up on our Practical Guide for Making Digital Products Accessible in 2021, our PUEDA – For an Accessible Digital Environment campaign has now issued a new paper, mainly targeted at developers, programmers, and people working in digital environments. The document aims to guide tech companies in the introduction of digital accessibility as a key ingredient of Responsible Business Conduct. It also provides guidelines for the implementation of accessibility criteria and explains the tangible benefits for those who adopt them, within the values of inclusion and respect for human rights.

“Digital accessibility is essential because adopting it ensures that the greatest number of users can access the information and services available in digital environments autonomously and with any type of device,” said Maria Sol Abichain, PUEDA’s project officer, who also stressed the importance of “creating awareness that web accessibility is a right for all people, particularly those with disabilities or low digital literacy.”

In 2019, ADC conducted the research study titled Access to Information and Communication Services and People with Disabilities -An Exploratory Study in the Southern Cone Region. The report found, on one hand, a considerable gap between current regulations and the reality of portals and web pages and, on the other, a low level of awareness on the subject. Thus, our organization has been active in the promotion of digital accessibility to overcome these two major barriers, with a special focus on technology companies.

“Implementing the standards, guidelines, and validation tools of digital accessibility allows those working in the tech sector to begin to respect and enhance a fundamental right, while equally providing them with a commercial advantage, since, in addition to being a duty, respect for human rights is good business,” said Marianela Milanes, ADC’s project leader.