Why Product Owners Should Focus on Mobile Accessibility
Product owners are responsible for delivering value, improving user satisfaction, and maximizing ROI. Mobile accessibility directly supports these goals.
1. Expanding the Addressable Market
An inaccessible app excludes millions of potential users.
When accessibility is built into product strategy:
- More customers can finish purchases
- More patients can access telehealth
- More students can join in digital learning
- More users can engage with financial services
Accessibility expands your Total Addressable Market (TAM). That’s not charity, it’s growth strategy.
2. Improving User Experience for Everyone
Accessible design enhances usability across the board.
Features like:
- Clear navigation
- Larger tap targets
- High color contrast
- Captioned videos
- Logical content structure
These improvements reduce friction and increase task completion rates.
Research by Forrester indicates that every $1 invested in UX can generate up to $100 in return. Accessibility is a core part of user experience excellence.
3. Reducing Rework and Technical Debt
When accessibility is integrated during design and development:
- Fewer costly redesigns are required later
- Compliance audits become smoother
- QA cycles are more predictable
Retrofitting accessibility can cost up to 10 times more than implementing it early in the development lifecycle. Product owners who emphasize accessibility reduce long-term technical debt.
4. Increasing Conversion Rates
In e-commerce, inaccessible checkout processes can directly lead to abandoned carts.
Common accessibility failures include:
- Forms that can’t be completed with screen readers
- Buttons too small for users with motor limitations
- Poor error messaging
Improving accessibility reduces drop-offs and increases conversion rates. It’s measurable business value.
Why Business Owners Should Treat Mobile Accessibility as a Strategic Investment
While product owners focus on delivery, business owners must think about risk, profitability, and reputation.
Mobile accessibility directly impacts all three.
5. Competitive Advantage in Procurement and Government Contracts
Many enterprise and government contracts require:
- VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) / ACR
- Proof of WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA compliance
Without accessibility documentation, your company may be disqualified from bidding opportunities.
Accessibility opens doors to new partnerships and public sector contracts.
6. Strengthening Brand Reputation and ESG Positioning
Consumers prefer inclusive brands.
Accenture research shows that companies leading in disability inclusion:
- Achieve 28% higher revenue
- Generate 30% higher profit margins
- Have double the net income of peers
Accessibility supports ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) commitments and strengthens corporate social responsibility initiatives.
It signals that your brand values inclusion and fairness.
7. Mobile Accessibility Supports Diverse User Needs
Understanding user diversity helps product and business owners see the broader impact.
Permanent Disabilities
- Blind or low-vision users relying on screen readers
- Deaf users requiring captions
- Individuals with motor impairments using assistive entry tools
Hidden Disabilities
- Color blindness
- Cognitive challenges
- Dyslexia
Temporary Disabilities
- Broken arm
- Eye surgery recovery
- Concussion recovery
Situational Limitations
- Bright sunlight (needs high contrast)
- Noisy environment (needs captions)
- One-handed use while commuting
Accessibility is universal design, it helps everyone at some point.
8. Why Automated Testing Is Not Enough
Many organizations rely solely on automated scanning tools.
But, research shows automated tools detect only about 30–40% of accessibility issues.
True accessibility requires:
- Manual testing
- Keyboard navigation testing
- Screen reader validation
- Real users with disabilities participating in testing
Product owners should assign budget and roadmap space for real-world usability testing.
9. Financial ROI of Accessibility
Accessibility investment creates measurable returns:
| Investment Area | Business Outcome |
|---|---|
| Accessible checkout | Higher conversion rates |
| Captioned videos | Increased engagement |
| Better navigation | Reduced support calls |
| Clear forms | Lower abandonment rates |
| Compliance documentation | Reduced legal exposure |
Accessibility reduces customer service costs, improves retention, and enhances lifetime customer value.
10. Future-Proofing Your Digital Products
Technology evolves quickly:
- AI-powered interfaces
- Voice assistants
- Wearables
- Smart devices
Building accessible systems ensures compatibility with future platforms and assistive technologies.
It’s a long-term innovation strategy.
Making Accessibility
Making accessibility a core part of your mobile strategy not only ensures legal compliance. It also elevates the overall user experience, increases engagement, and strengthens brand loyalty. Digital products should be accessible to all, regardless of ability.
Dive into the full guide to mobile app accessibility and testing here: https://enabled.in/mobile-app-accessibility/
Key points covered:
- Comprehensive accessibility testing, automated and manual, across platforms and devices.
- Real-world user testing with people with diverse disabilities.
- Assistive tech compatibility (VoiceOver, TalkBack, Switch Control).
- Ongoing support as your app evolves.
- Creation of VPAT reports for formal compliance documentation.
Need Help With Mobile Accessibility?
Improving mobile accessibility can feel overwhelming. There are guidelines to follow, testing to plan, and compliance to document. You don’t have to do it alone, working with experienced accessibility specialists makes the process easier and more effective.
One reliable partner is Enabled.in, a digital accessibility consulting firm. It helps businesses make mobile apps and websites inclusive and usable. They guarantee compliance with WCAG standards.
You can contact them here:
Email: sathasivam@enabled.in
Phone: +91 98405 15647
Whether you want an accessibility audit, mobile app accessibility testing, VPAT documentation, or hands-on accessibility support, they can help guide you through each step