Diarmuid’s Presentation on Accessibility in Croke Park

Earlier this year, on Thursday, 5 September 2024, I had the privilege of presenting at the NextGen Digital Business Summit at Croke Park, Dublin, where I spoke about the critical importance of digital accessibility and how businesses can significantly improve their online presence by making their websites usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Digital accessibility ensures that individuals who rely on tools like screen readers, magnifiers, captions, and other assistive technologies can seamlessly interact with your website. With digital inclusion becoming an increasingly vital part of web design and development, the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which takes effect on 28 June 2025, mandates that all websites be accessible to people with disabilities. Non-compliance could lead to legal action, a situation that many major companies, including the likes of Beyoncé, Burger King and Harvard, have already faced in the United States, where accessibility lawsuits are common.

However, digital accessibility is about much more than avoiding legal repercussions. It’s fundamentally about enhancing the overall user experience for everyone. Accessible websites not only offer clearer communication and more intuitive navigation, but they also tend to rank higher in search engine results. This means that investing in accessibility doesn’t just benefit users with disabilities; it can also broaden your audience and improve your site’s performance.

Key steps to make your website more accessible include:

1. Conducting an Accessibility Audit: Identify barriers and usability issues for people with disabilities.
2. Engaging with Accessibility Experts: Work with professionals to implement necessary improvements.
3. Involving Disabled Users: Actively gather feedback from those who benefit directly from accessible features.
4. Educating Your Team: Make digital accessibility a part of your organisation’s DNA by embedding it in your culture and workflows.

Embracing digital accessibility is not only a legal requirement under the upcoming EAA; it’s also a powerful opportunity to improve the user-friendliness and impact of your website for all visitors. By making your digital space more inclusive, you contribute to a more equitable society and create a better experience for everyone, regardless of ability.

We’ve explored this topic in more depth here, and if you’d like to discuss how to make your project more accessible, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Accessibility Lead, Declan Behan, or our Director, Diarmuid Slattery. We would be more than happy to assist.