Big enterprises always look for ways to stand out from their competition. They position themselves as leaders by staying ahead of emerging corporate trends. Creating digital content that is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, is a great way to do that. Companies often consider digital accessibility, including PDFs, to be just a compliance issue. However, accessibility is also a valuable investment that can positively impact brand reputation, boost employee productivity, improve customer satisfaction, and set a company apart as an industry leader. All of these elements help set organizations apart from their competitors.
1. Reducing legal liability and expanding market reach
Lawsuits related to inaccessible digital content, including PDFs, have risen steadily in recent years. For big enterprises, these legal battles can be especially damaging. It’s not only about the financial impact but also the reputational hit that can result from negative press surrounding a lawsuit.
Governments worldwide are enacting stronger accessibility regulations to promote inclusivity. Companies wanting to contract with the U.S. government must comply with Section 508 regulations, and any companies in the U.S. must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Companies doing business in the European Union (EU) must comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). All these regulations refer to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in some way as the standard of excellence.
Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, significant fines, and cause people to lose trust in your brand. Most significantly, failing to make digital content like PDFs accessible can prevent companies from doing business in these markets. And prioritizing digital accessibility means that your company can do business in a wide variety of markets, putting you ahead of competitors who are not prioritizing digital accessibility.
2. Supporting customer satisfaction and retention
In the digital age, customer experience is king. Imagine a potential client who wants to learn about your services but can’t read your PDF brochures or reports because they’re not accessible. Existing customers who can’t read their invoices, billing statements, and other customer communications will also feel frustrated and excluded. Chances are, they’ll look elsewhere – perhaps at a competitor who values inclusivity.
Accessible PDFs ensure that all customers can interact with your content seamlessly. For customers with disabilities, accessible PDFs are not just convenient; they’re necessary. PDFs with proper tagging, readable text, and alternative text for images allow users with visual or motor impairments to navigate documents with ease.
3. Enhancing brand reputation
Brand reputation isn’t just about eye-catching logos or memorable taglines; it’s about showing your audience that you care about them. Accessible PDFs mean everyone, including those with disabilities, can interact with your content without barriers. It’s an opportunity to show that your brand is genuinely inclusive and committed to supporting all users.
When large companies prioritize accessibility, they’re sending a clear message: “We value inclusivity.” This message resonates, especially in an era where consumers increasingly favor brands that demonstrate social responsibility.
4. Boosting Employee Productivity and Inclusion
Accessibility benefits aren’t only outward-facing. Accessible PDFs and documents also significantly improve the internal environment for your team, particularly employees with disabilities. Consider the advantages of accessible onboarding materials, training manuals, or internal reports. When this content is formatted with accessibility in mind, every team member engages with the content fully. This not only boosts productivity but also sends a message that the company values and supports its diverse workforce.
Ultimately, creating an inclusive workplace is an important aspect of attracting and retaining top talent. Large enterprises have diverse workforces and must meet the needs of all employees.
5. Standing out as a leader in a competitive market
Proactively addressing accessibility helps you stay ahead of industry trends, positioning your company as a responsible, forward-thinking leader—and a preferred choice in a competitive market. This leadership creates a competitive edge by building a reputation for inclusivity and corporate responsibility that appeals to modern consumers, partners, and talent alike.
Leading the way in accessibility also allows your company to set industry standards and make a difference on a larger scale. When a large enterprise makes a public commitment to accessibility, it sets a powerful precedent, putting pressure on competitors to follow suit. This leadership not only establishes your company as an industry frontrunner but also as a brand committed to inclusivity and social responsibility. Companies that prioritize accessibility can further benefit by attracting customers and partners who value those same standards.
Practical steps to get started
These practical steps can help you efficiently address PDF accessibility:
- Conduct Regular Accessibility Audits: Set up routine checks to ensure that all public-facing and internal documents meet accessibility standards.
- Provide Accessibility Training: Ensure that all employees, especially those responsible for creating documents, are trained on best practices for PDF accessibility.
- Partner with a PDF Accessibility Provider: Find a solutions provider that helps simplify the process of making PDFs accessible. RemDoc is a great partner and can easily tackle your PDF remediation projects for you.
Embracing PDF accessibility is about more than checking a compliance box; it’s about creating a more inclusive world, both within and outside your organization. And for large enterprises, it’s an investment that pays off – in legal protection, brand reputation, employee productivity, customer loyalty, and industry leadership.
