In an increasingly digitized world, the accessibility of digital documents becomes a major concern, especially for people with disabilities.
The event ‘DocAxess – Digital Document Accessibility: Opt for a Winning Strategy‘ brought together experts to discuss the importance of digital accessibility in digital documents. The webinar covered various topics, including disability statistics, legal aspects of digital accessibility, and strategies to make digital documents accessible.
Three speakers, Prisca Nyko (Avril), Vincent Curt (Icade), and Théo François (DocAxess), shared their experiences and strategies in this regard. Key points were raised, such as integrating accessibility from the design stage of documents and the importance of raising awareness and training teams.
Context and Implications
‘Digital accessibility is not just a legal compliance issue; it’s a matter of inclusion and equity.’
This quote reflects the spirit of the event. It was emphasized that nearly 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability. This statistic highlights the magnitude of the impact that digital accessibility can have and how it can transform the lives of people with disabilities. For example, an accessible digital document enables a visually impaired person to use a screen reader to understand its content, thereby opening doors that would otherwise be closed.
The event also addressed the benefits for businesses of integrating accessibility into their digital strategy. Not only does this improve the user experience for a broader audience, but it also demonstrates a commitment to social inclusion.
Legal Framework and Compliance
The legislative framework, particularly in France and Europe, imposes certain requirements regarding digital accessibility. The webinar explored these aspects, highlighting the decree of July 24, 2019, which extends the accessibility obligation to private companies with a turnover of more than 250 million euros. Global laws, such as the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or the European Accessibility Act (EAA) in Europe, mandate that websites be accessible. These regulations are essential to ensure that the needs of all users are taken into account when creating digital content. By complying with these laws, businesses demonstrate their commitment to meeting the needs of all their users.
Company Testimonials
Our clients and partners Avril and Icade shared their experiences, demonstrating how they integrate accessibility into their practices. Their testimonials illustrated the importance of accessibility for an inclusive user experience. These companies not only meet legal requirements but also strive to create an inclusive environment for both employees and customers.
To date, financial and communication documents take priority in being made accessible through DocAxess’ automation tools: annual reports, CSR reports, press releases, etc. Prisca Nyko and Vincent Curt also shared their internal prioritization strategies to make as many documents accessible as possible in a coherent economic logic.
Strategies and Best Practices
The importance of a proactive approach was emphasized by several speakers. They highlighted the need to integrate accessibility from the inception of documents, as well as to raise awareness and provide training for teams. One participant mentioned: ‘Anticipating accessibility needs is adopting a stance of innovation and inclusion.’
This perspective shows that accessibility can be a competitive advantage, in addition to being a social responsibility.
The establishment of a multi-year plan at the company level is an important step to frame and sustain accessibility internally. The importance of seeking proper guidance in its definition and implementation has been highlighted.
The DocAxess webinar reaffirmed that making digital documents accessible is not only a response to legal requirements but also a step towards a more inclusive world. Companies adopting this approach not only comply with the law but also take a lead in creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for everyone.
