Digital user experience agency Sigma has called on the UK’s tech sector to improve accessibility to products and services.
There are about 10 million people in the UK currently living with some kind of disability, according to the Office for National Statistics – about 15 per cent of the population.
In an open letter, Sigma managing director Hilary Stephenson said more needed to be done.
“There is a misconception in the industry that making products ‘accessible’ means adding additional components but this is not the case,” she said.
“Those elements, which make services accessible, have the same benefits for everyone else.
“At Sigma, we believe we can all try harder to be more inclusive from the start of any digital project. More than ever before, the need to deliver accessible digital products and services constitutes both a moral and a commercial imperative.”
The Macclesfield company’s letter has already gathered support with The Molly Watt Trust committing to this accessibility pledge.
Stephenson added: “We are thrilled to have already had commitment from organisations in these industries and we hope others will follow in the coming weeks.
“This is an issue that deserves the attention of everybody working in digital and technology roles.”
Sigma will be among those companies attending London Tech Week and will be holding talks and workshops on Wednesday June 14 on the importance of accessibility in tech.