Inclusive Design: Why Accessibility Matters for Business and Society

Rosa Matthews
May 1
4 min read

Accessibility doesn’t always get a seat at the table during planning or design. But it should. Whether you're working on a website, planning an office layout, or designing public spaces, the key question is pretty basic: can this be used by everyone, or only some people?

If the answer is “only some,” that’s a problem—one that’s not only avoidable, but costly.

A Global Issue We Underestimate

According to the World Health Organization, around 1.3 billion people globally—about 16% of the population—live with a disability. That’s not a specialised group; that’s one in six people. Almost every workplace, school, or business serves someone with a disability whether they realise it or not.

And there’s money on the table too. In the UK, the “Purple Pound”—the combined spending power of disabled households—was valued at £274 billion in 2020. That figure isn’t just impressive; it’s a clear indicator of missed opportunities for businesses that don’t take inclusion seriously.

Then there’s the ageing population. As people live longer, more of us are dealing with mobility challenges, sensory issues, or chronic conditions. UNICEF notes that nearly half of people over 60 have a disability. So even if this doesn’t affect you now, it probably will—eventually.

Where Access Is Still Limited

For all our talk about smart cities and digital innovation, accessibility often feels like an afterthought.

In 2022, only 51.6% of people living in cities had easy access to public transport (UN SDG report). That’s barely half.
Around 1.1 billion people are currently living in slums or informal housing, which usually lack even basic infrastructure, let alone accessible design (UN-Habitat).
Public space is another concern. More than 75% of cities dedicate less than 20% of land to open streets or communal areas. The recommended range is closer to 45–50% (UN report).

Even something as basic as a smooth sidewalk or a ramp can make the difference between access and exclusion. And that’s the part we overlook too easily.

One Term, Many Experiences

It’s tempting to group “disability” into a single category. But the reality is more layered than that.

In the US, disability rates rise with age. Among people aged 18–29, about 8.4% live with a disability. By age 60–64, it’s nearly 20% (US Census).
For working-age adults, the most common conditions are cognitive (5.2%) and mobility-related (4.4%) (CDC).
ONS data in the UK shows 11% of children and 23% of adults of working age have a disability. Among older adults? It jumps to 45%.
And on a global level, UNICEF reports that 12.5% of children between 5 and 17 have moderate to severe disabilities.

Designing for accessibility doesn’t mean designing for one type of need. It means recognising how broad and diverse disability really is—and adjusting accordingly.

What Businesses Should Know

Addressing accessibility isn’t about good PR. It’s about clear, tangible returns.

Access equals reach. The more accessible your product or space, the more people can use it.
Avoid legal risk. Many countries are tightening accessibility laws. Being reactive is rarely cheaper than being proactive.
Inclusive teams work better. A more accessible work environment draws from a wider talent pool. It also improves retention.
Perception matters. Customers notice when a brand considers more than just the default user.

One example? Improving transport accessibility in the UK could deliver £72.4 billion in annual socio-economic benefits (Inclusive Transport Strategy). That’s not a vague forecast—it’s backed by research.

The Digital Problem

The internet was supposed to open access for everyone. But many websites still fail people with disabilities.

The Web Accessibility Initiative outlines the core issues: unreadable text for screen readers, missing alt text for images, poor keyboard navigation. Fixes are straightforward, but they’re not always done.

When a site excludes people, it doesn’t just frustrate them. It also costs you visitors, conversions, and loyalty.

How to Begin

Improving accessibility doesn’t require a complete rebuild. Start small, but make it count.

Audit your environment. Physically and digitally—check what’s preventing access.
Bring people in. Feedback from disabled users isn’t a bonus. It’s essential.
Educate your staff. Training on accessibility basics should be standard, not optional.
Prioritise common needs. Start with what affects the most people. Cognitive and mobility barriers are widespread and relatively easy to address.
Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. Meeting the legal minimum isn’t the same as being truly inclusive.

What’s Coming Next

UNICEF reports that almost 10% of children worldwide live with a disability. That figure should shape how we build schools, apps, public transport—even playgrounds.

And with UN-Habitat predicting 2 billion more people will live in informal settlements over the next 30 years, accessibility in low-resource areas is going to matter more than ever.

Universal design—spaces and tools that work for as many people as possible—is a practical direction. Not perfect, but a good foundation.

Final Note

Disability isn’t rare, and it isn’t always visible. It affects people at every stage of life.

The CDC points out that disability touches everyone, either directly or indirectly. That includes your coworkers, your customers, and probably you, eventually.

Accessibility isn’t extra. It’s part of doing things properly.