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Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming David Demers, Director of Access Labs at INCA, to our offices at Ciao. Accompanied by his guide dog, Lilo, David shared his experience and vision on digital accessibility and inclusive design.
Digital Accessibility: A Strategic Priority
Having suddenly lost his sight, David had to adapt to a new reality. This experience led him to establish Access Labs, a division of INCA that supports businesses in improving the accessibility of their digital platforms. His approach is clear: accessibility should not only be viewed from a social or ethical perspective but also in terms of financial impact.
Indeed, the purchasing power of people with disabilities in Canada is estimated at $55 billion. Moreover, with a current employment rate between 20% and 30%, any increase in the professional integration of these individuals would further strengthen their purchasing power.
Testing to Ensure True Accessibility
Access Labs offers various digital accessibility services, including supervised and unsupervised user testing. As David emphasizes: "It is the only way to truly determine whether a system or product is usable." In 2024 alone, Access Labs has already provided testers for over 300 tests, and expects to increase beyond 1000 in 20025, a figure that reflects a growing commitment to inclusivity.
Accessibility Benefits Everyone
During our discussion, we also highlighted an essential point: making a website or application accessible benefits not only visually impaired individuals. Inclusive design also enhances the experience for older adults, who may face visual or motor difficulties. When considering all users who stand to benefit, it becomes evident that accessibility impacts roughly one in three people.
Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility: An Opportunity to Seize
Artificial intelligence presents promising prospects for digital accessibility. However, David warns of the risk of exclusion if technologies are not designed to be inclusive from the outset. "I hope we do not repeat the mistake made during the rise of the internet and computing. We thought these technological advances would facilitate accessibility, but in reality, they often had the opposite effect. With AI, we have the opportunity to do better by developing accessible tools right from the start."
Toward Normalized Accessibility
At Ciao, we are proud to collaborate with INCA and contribute to the advancement of digital accessibility. Today, it is natural to see access ramps facilitating mobility for wheelchair users. Shouldn't the same principle apply to web platforms and digital tools? It is time to consider accessibility as a fundamental standard—beneficial for all and a driver of new opportunities.
Digital accessibility is not just a technical challenge; it is a collective responsibility and an opportunity to make the digital world fairer and more inclusive.