Small Businesses and the Ethical Push for Accessibility

It's day 8 of our 25 days of Tech for Good reality checks advent calendar, and we turn our attention to small businesses and their approach to digital accessibility.

For small businesses, the decision to allocate resources for accessibility might seem challenging, especially when immediate returns aren’t obvious. But here's the thing: accessibility shouldn't be viewed purely through a profit lens. As we know, inclusion is about doing the right thing – creating an inclusive environment for all potential customers.

For a small business with one shop, making it accessible is a commendable, yet relatively manageable task. A few thousand pounds could transform their space, making it welcoming for all. This level of adaptability is a strength of smaller enterprises – it's easier to turn a 'small ship' towards inclusivity.

Now, picture a giant like Tesco committing to make all its stores accessible. We’re talking about a monumental task, involving millions of pounds and the challenge of appeasing numerous stakeholders and shareholders. The scale of this undertaking for such a large 'ship' is immense (though it's not impossible).

The beauty of a small business is the control and agency you have over your operations - for many people this is why they become entrepreneurs. This autonomy presents a golden opportunity to be a force for good, especially in terms of accessibility. Making your business more accessible may not only be easier due to your scale but also aligns perfectly with the ethos of making ethical, community-oriented decisions.

The argument here is straightforward: even if you allocate just 1% of your budget to improving accessibility, you're making a significant step towards inclusivity. It’s about starting somewhere, no matter how small, especially if your business is purpose-driven or non-profit.

For many small business owners, the choice to prioritise accessibility isn't just a business decision but a reflection of their values and the lifestyle they've chosen, one where doing good and feeling good about their impact matters. So small businesses are well-positioned to do the right thing and by doing so, set their business apart from larger competitors.

The world becomes a better place each time a business, regardless of its size, embraces accessibility as a key part of its ethos. If you're a small business, you can still make a big difference to a lot of people by choosing to invest in accessibility.