The SDGs call for a reduction in inequalities. SDG target 10.2 is particularly relevant here: ‘By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.’ The ability of diverse groups of users to access digital products is critical for inclusion.
An estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disabilityxiii. People with disabilities are less likely to use digital technologies, such as a computer or the Internet. In the United States, for example, 72% of people with disabilities said that they owned smartphones, compared with 88% of those without a disability.xiv
For digital technology companies, prioritising accessibility is critical not only for digital inclusion but also for compliance with global human rights frameworks, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocates for accessible technology as a fundamental right. Companies should strive to ensure that no one is digitally excluded for economic, physical or social reasons.


Research Guidance:

The company publicly acknowledges its responsibility to ensure that digital interfaces are usable by all individuals, including people with disabilities, and whether this is supported by adherence to recognized accessibility standards or frameworks. To meet the requirements of this element, the company shall:
- commit to integrating accessible design principles in its digital products or services. For companies selling consumer-facing technological products or services (e.g. mobile phones, TVs, VR sets, delivery services, etc), the commitment must apply to all products (i.e a commitment to an accessible website is not enough). For other companies, the commitment must apply at least to the website or other digital service platforms used by clients or the public. The commitment must apply at group level.
- disclose its accessible or inclusive design principles into its digital products or services in a standalone policy document or webpage, or has obtained a certification of universal accessibility
The commitment should reflect a company-wide approach, not just isolated product features or pilot efforts .
This element requires a company to make a commitment in a policy document or webpage. WBA does not accept a commitment found in a report (e.g. an annual or sustainability report that is updated annually) even if the company explains that it is company policy and/or it is approved by the highest governing body. This requires the company to make a commitment using strong language such as:
- We respect,
- We commit to respect,
- Aligned with,
- We adhere to inclusive design, accessible design, universal design.
- We adhere as closely as possible to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
- We adopt the digital accessibility standards laid out by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
- Our products or services are accessible to all.
- When the principles are disclosed as part of another Policy document, it is accepted.
Words that are NOT accepted:
We follow, We support the right to, Consistent with, In line with, Informed by, Striving to ensure rights are upheld, Recognise the principles of, Guided by, Based on, We base our requirements on, We promote, We subscribe to, We have respect for, We embrace.