The Scope of the Accessibility Challenge

Consider these statistics:

• 12 million people 40+ in the US have vision impairment, including 1 million who are blind.

• 1 in 7 adults have mobility issues, and disability becomes more common with age.

• Over 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment.

• 1 in 8 people in the United States aged 12 years or older have hearing loss in both ears.

  
  These numbers emphasize the critical need for accessible web design. As UX Designers and Researchers, we strive to create intuitive experiences for all users.According to the CDC, 61 million (1 in 4) adults in the US live with a disability.

Accessibility: More Than Just an Afterthought

Accessibility and 508 compliance should be integral to the design process, not an afterthought. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act mandates that Federal agencies make Information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessible to people with disabilities.

Accessibility isn't limited to permanent disabilities. It encompasses a wide range of users, including those with:

• Limited mobility (e.g., due to a cast)

• Color blindness

• Learning disabilities (e.g., Dyslexia, ADHD)

• Situational constraints (e.g., a noisy environment)