Digital Accessibility: How AI is making the digital world accessible to everyone

In an increasingly digital world, no one should be excluded. Yet for millions of people with visual, hearing or mobility impairments, many digital offerings are still difficult to access. Companies that do not design their websites, apps and digital services to be accessible are not only missing out on an important social responsibility, but also on economic opportunities.

Digital accessibility is about more than just complying with legal requirements – it is a crucial factor for user-friendliness, customer satisfaction and innovative strength. Modern technologies, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), now make it possible to automatically optimise digital content and thus make it accessible to everyone. But how exactly can AI help?

The starting point

Many digital services are difficult for people with disabilities to use – whether they are blind and rely on screen readers, deaf and need subtitles, or have motor disabilities that prevent them from using conventional input devices. Despite growing awareness, many companies lack the expertise and resources to consistently implement accessibility. Retrofitting existing systems is particularly challenging, as many older websites and applications were not developed with accessibility in mind. Standardised processes or clear responsibilities are often lacking, leading to delays or half-hearted solutions. However, companies are increasingly obliged not only ethically but also by law to remove digital barriers. Those who ignore the issue risk not only excluding potential customer groups, but also legal consequences and a competitive disadvantage.

According to a study by the Federal Statistical Office, almost 8 million people in Germany live with some form of disability – that's almost 10 per cent of the German population. Many of these people face barriers in their everyday lives, whether at work, in public spaces or in the digital world. An inclusive society therefore requires not only a legal framework, but also a change in thinking in companies and institutions. Barrier-free structures and an open attitude can create more opportunities for participation and promote equal opportunities. Another positive effect is the economic advantage of a barrier-free website. An accessible website appeals to a larger target group and opens up new market potential. Companies that implement accessibility at an early stage gain a clear competitive advantage because they reach more potential customers than their competitors. At the same time, an inclusive approach strengthens brand perception by signalling social responsibility and customer focus. This not only leads to higher customer satisfaction, but also to long-term brand loyalty and positive recommendations.

How AI can improve digital accessibility

AI plays a central role in implementing digital accessibility and supports companies in making their digital offerings more inclusive. Through automated testing, it identifies barriers in websites and applications, enabling companies to make optimisations at an early stage. AI-supported solutions such as automatic translations into plain language improve the comprehensibility of content for a broader user group. In addition, technologies such as image recognition and speech output enable blind or visually impaired people to access visual content without barriers. Through machine learning, AI can continuously analyse user feedback and derive optimisation suggestions to sustainably improve digital accessibility. adesso has already successfully supported numerous companies on the road to digital accessibility through the use of AI – from raising awareness within companies to analysing existing websites and implementing accessible solutions.

A clear structure and optimised content also benefit search engine rankings, which increases visibility. In addition, accessibility helps to meet legal requirements and avoid legal risks. Companies strengthen their image by demonstrating social responsibility and promoting inclusion. Ultimately, a better user experience leads to higher conversion rates and increased sales.

To dos for companies in terms of accessibility

Companies should design their digital offerings to be accessible from the outset by taking web standards into account. Clear navigation, easily readable font sizes and sufficient contrast improve accessibility for all users. Useful tools such as browser plug-ins and integrations into the development environment help to ensure that these requirements are met correctly during development. Alternative text for images, subtitles for videos and keyboard operability are essential to breaking down barriers. Regular usability testing with people with disabilities helps to identify weaknesses at an early stage. In addition, companies should raise their employees' awareness of the issue and offer training in digital accessibility. Accessibility is not a one-time project, but an ongoing process that should be regularly reviewed and optimised. Investing in accessibility now will reap long-term rewards in the form of a better user experience, legal certainty and a positive brand image.

AI can be used to systematically check websites and applications for accessibility requirements. Automated tests analyse the code, detect contrasts, missing alternative texts or inadequate keyboard navigation and provide detailed recommendations for action. This enables companies to identify weaknesses at an early stage and optimise them in a targeted manner. AI-supported language models enable the automatic conversion of complex content into plain language. By using AI, descriptive alternative texts for images can be created automatically. This makes it easier for blind and visually impaired users to access visual content by using screen readers to read the generated texts aloud. Companies benefit from more efficient content creation and better accessibility of their digital offerings. Furthermore, spoken content in videos can be automatically transcribed and precise subtitles generated. This not only enables deaf or hard of hearing people to access audiovisual content without barriers, but also improves user-friendliness for anyone who consumes videos without sound. Companies can thus increase their reach and sustainably improve the accessibility of their content. Using machine learning, AI can recognise individual user preferences and adapt digital applications accordingly. This includes automatically adjusting font sizes, contrasts or the preferred control method. This enables companies to create a personalised and accessible user experience for their customers.