This month, we collaborated with software provider, Jadu, to raise awareness of digital exclusion through a small film. Together, we’re calling for more organisations to use thoughtful, inclusive design when building online spaces.
Explaining the problem
The film features our Accessibility Services employees – all of whom are visually impaired – sharing their personal stories of navigating the digital world, showing what happens when accessibility falls short. It also covers the benefits of accessible design, with the effect described as “open[ing] up the world in so many ways”.
This year, global data storage is expected to reach 181 zettabytes – so much data, that every person on earth would need 181 smartphones to house it all.1 And yet, the majority of website home pages still fail basic accessibility testing – just 5.2% meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG),2 the international standard. What does that mean for the 1 in 4 people in the UK who are disabled?*3
The impact of poor design
The question of accessible platforms is even more valid when research suggests that people with disabilities have a much greater need for technology – which acts a gateway to education, work and independence. One speaker in the film says: “web and technology is so important to the way I live my life. It affects everything I do for my work, for my study, and I love online shopping”. We shouldn’t underestimate the potential for online spaces to help people access vital services, support with communication, and ultimately, improve quality of life.
The film also touches on the wider implications of poor accessibility – from impacting mental health and causing anxiety and frustration, to eroding confidence. In contrast, accessible design creates “the most amazing feeling”, with assistive technology like screen readers, video captions, keyword tabbing and use of plain English helping everyone take part.
Making online spaces more inclusive
At Shaw Trust, we believe accessibility goes far beyond meeting legal or compliancy requirements, and instead builds a more empathetic, inclusive digital culture. Reflecting on the impact of the film, Joe Manock, our Lead Commercial Account Manager, says:
“Our work with Jadu demonstrates what’s possible when accessibility is treated as a shared responsibility. By collaborating from the outset, we’ve helped organisations build digital services that don’t just meet standards, they genuinely improve people’s lives. Accessibility benefits everyone, and this film captures that beautifully.”
Lee Pilmore, Head of Brand at Jadu, who directed and produced the film, explains:
“We wanted to move beyond checklists and compliance, and really show the human side of accessibility…It reminds us that inclusive design isn’t just good practice, it’s the right thing to do.”
Assessing your app or website
The message of “doing the right thing” sits at the heart of the film, as well as our partnership with Jadu. And one closing remark shows how powerful accessibility in design really is: “Absolutely everybody benefits from accessible websites. It makes the world a better place.”
As part of Shaw Trust’s commitment to supporting people with disabilities, we help organisations make their online spaces inclusive for all through:
- Accessibility snapshots, which scans key pages, detects common issues and suggests improvements.
- Accessibility audits, with testing from real people – including experts with lived experience of disabilities.
- Cost-saving subscriptions, with regular checks of your platforms, so you can fix issues early.
To see how Shaw Trust can help, call the team on 0300 123 7005, or email Accessibility-Services@Shaw-Trust.org.uk
