Empower Businesses to Choose Accessible Technology Tools
Digital accessibility is no longer a “nice to have.” It is a business decision that affects your clients, your staff, and your reputation. Yet many organisations still feel unsure about how to choose the right accessible technology tools. The end result? Delays, fear of getting it wrong, or buying tools that do not actually improve access.
Building digital confidence changes that.
Digital confidence means understanding what accessibility is, knowing what to look for in technology, and feeling capable of asking the right questions before you invest. When businesses build this confidence, they stop reacting to problems and start planning for inclusion from the beginning.
At its core, this is about choosing to “Do Better Access”. Not because you have to, but because it strengthens your organisation.
Why Digital Confidence Matters
Accessibility is about making sure everyone can use your website, systems, and digital tools. That includes people who are blind, have low vision, are Deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility challenges, learning differences, temporary injuries or just getting older.
According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people live with some form of disability. In Australia, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that one in six Australians live with disability.
These are not small numbers. They represent your customers, your employees, and your community.
When businesses lack digital confidence, they may:
- Choose software without checking accessibility features
- Rely on overlays instead of fixing real barriers
- Ignore staff who need assistive technology
- Avoid talking about accessibility altogether
Confidence replaces fear with clarity. It helps businesses move from “we hope this works” to “we know this works.”
The Steps
Step 1: Understand Accessibility
Confidence grows when you know what to ask.
Before purchasing any digital tool, software platform, or website solution, ask:
- Has this been tested with assistive technology?
- Can it be used with keyboard only?
- Does it support screen readers such as NVDA or JAWS?
- Are captions and transcripts supported?
- Can text size be adjusted without breaking the layout?
- Has real user testing been completed?
If a vendor cannot answer these questions clearly, that is a red flag.
You do not need to be a technical expert. You simply need the confidence to pause and ask.
For organisations new to this space, our Assistive Technology Training sessions show teams how screen readers and other tools actually work.
Step 2: Compliance to Capability
Many organisations approach accessibility because they are worried about complaints or legal risk. While compliance matters, fear is not a strong long-term strategy.
Instead of asking:
“Will this keep us out of trouble?”
Ask:
“Will this tool work for everyone who needs to use it?”
Accessible technology improves:
- Staff productivity
- Customer satisfaction
- Brand trust
- Market reach
When accessibility is viewed as capability rather than compliance, decision-making becomes clearer. This is where businesses begin to do better access in a practical, measurable way.
Step 3: Ask Better Questions
Confidence grows when you know what to ask.
Before purchasing any digital tool, software platform, or website solution, ask:
- Has this been tested with assistive technology?
- Can it be used with keyboard only?
- Does it support screen readers such as NVDA or JAWS?
- Are captions and transcripts supported?
- Can text size be adjusted without breaking the layout?
- Has real user testing been completed?
If a vendor cannot answer these questions clearly, that is a red flag.
You do not need to be a technical expert. You simply need the confidence to pause and ask.
For organisations new to this space, our Assistive Technology Training sessions show teams how screen readers and other tools actually work.
Step 4: Involve Real People
When people with disability can access information, services, ed
Nothing builds confidence faster than listening to people who use assistive technology every day.
Include people with disability in:
- User testing
- Procurement reviews
- Website redesign discussions
- Internal software trials
This is not just consultation. It is co-design.
Real feedback prevents expensive mistakes. It also builds trust within your organisation.
If you are planning a redesign, our User Testing Services can help connect you with real users for practical feedback.
ucation, work, and community life, the benefits ripple outward. Individuals experience greater independence and confidence. Families experience less stress. Workplaces benefit from diverse perspectives and skills. Communities become stronger when more people are able to participate fully.
A society that values disability inclusion and accessibility is not just more equitable, it is happier. People spend less time fighting barriers and more time living their lives. Frustration is reduced. Trust grows. Connection increases.
Disability inclusion and accessibility are not about special treatment. They are about thoughtful design, respectful communication, and a willingness to listen and learn. Shifting the mindset from “What do we have to do?” to “How can we do better?” is where real change begins. And that shift benefits everyone.
Step 5: Invest in Training
Technology alone does not create access. People do.
Training teams in digital accessibility:
- Builds shared understanding
- Reduces fear of “getting it wrong”
- Encourages better design decisions
- Improves internal communication
Staff who understand how screen readers work, or how someone navigates by keyboard, make smarter choices when creating content or selecting tools.
Confidence is not about knowing everything. It is about knowing enough to act responsibly.
You can explore our Corporate Accessibility Training programs to build internal capability across your organisation.
Step 6: Avoid the Quick Fix
There are many tools marketed as instant accessibility fixes. Overlays and automated widgets often promise full compliance in minutes.
In reality, accessibility is not solved by a single button.
Automated tools can help identify issues, but they cannot:
- Understand context
- Rewrite unclear content
- Replace proper coding
- Test real user experience
Businesses that genuinely want to do better access, recognise that sustainable accessibility is built into systems, not added as decoration.
Step 7: Embed Accessibility in Procurement
One of the most powerful ways to empower businesses is to embed accessibility into procurement policies.
This means:
- Adding accessibility requirements to contracts
- Requesting accessibility statements from vendors
- Including accessibility in evaluation scoring
- Reviewing compliance documentation
When accessibility becomes part of procurement, it stops being optional.
Confidence grows when accessibility is a standard expectation rather than an afterthought. That is how organisations shift from minimum effort to leadership — and truly Do Better Access.
Final Thoughts
Choosing accessible technology tools should not feel overwhelming. With the right knowledge and mindset, businesses can make informed decisions that benefit everyone.
Digital confidence is not about perfection. It is about progress, responsibility, and inclusion.
When organisations move from uncertainty to informed action, they create digital environments where more people can participate, contribute, and succeed.
Because when businesses choose to Do Better Access, they do better business.
If you are unsure where to start, contact us.
What would change in your organisation if accessibility became a confident choice rather than a cautious obligation?