Ipsos Partners for Digital Accessibility Audit

Ipsos has announced the launch of Accessible UX Audit services, developed in partnership with CurbCutOS and designed to help businesses ensure their user experiences meet the requirements of the upcoming European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Based in the US and founded by individuals with disabilities, CurbCutOS is a specialist digital accessibility solutions company with 29 years of experience in helping organizations to create inclusive digital spaces and content that everyone can access.

The EAA covers everything from ticket machines and banking services to mobile phones and computers, and is designed to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services, removing barriers by homogenising rules in Member States and requiring trading partners to comply. It aims to ensure people with disabilities and elderly people will benefit from more accessible products and services, at more competitive prices, as well as fewer barriers when accessing transport, education and the open labour market, and an increased pool of jobs where accessibility expertise is needed. Business have until June 28th next year to comply.

The new Accessible UX Audit provides a rigorous three-step process which the partners say identifies 60% more errors than automated WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance scanners. There are three components: Ipsos and CurbCutOS experts identify accessibility gaps in web sites, apps, devices and documents; gaps are verified by an automated audit, supplemented by an expert evaluation and usability tests with users who have disabilities; and lastly the experts work with organizations to deliver a prioritized plan for future improvement.

To commence, the Audits are available in 24 markets in Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Europe: further markets are scheduled for launch soon.

Yana Beranek (pictured left), Global UX Leader at Ipsos comments: 'Going beyond automated scanning for compliance, which we know misses many errors, Ipsos and CurbCutOS's solution helps businesses meet EAA accessibility requirements. By integrating real-world experiences of people with disabilities, accessibility expertise and decades of UX experience, our Accessible UX Audit ensures comprehensive solutions for digital accessibility'.

'We are excited to bring this opportunity to the world's leading brands' adds CurbCutOS CEO Mark Pound (pictured right), 'emphasizing that digital accessibility goes beyond compliance - it's a business imperative. By embracing accessibility, we create more inclusive experiences that enhance products and services for everyone, ultimately strengthening emotional connections and fostering brand loyalty'.

Ipsos employs nearly 20,000 people, works in 90 markets worldwide and is online at www.ipsos.com . Its new partner can be found at www.curbcutos.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.