By Steven Parker, Phonetic Digital
One of our core values is keeping connected with our community. We aim to build meaningful relationships with the people, organisations and places around us because we believe strong communities create stronger businesses.
For us, that means staying engaged and active, supporting local networks, and looking for ways our work can make a positive difference beyond our own organisation.
As a North East business, that value is rooted in where we come from. Our connection to the region shapes our perspective and informs the way we work. That is why digital inclusion matters so much to us.
Digital services have the power to connect, support and create opportunity, but only if people can actually access them.
If websites, tools and services are not built with inclusivity in mind, people are shut out. That can mean excluding users with visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments, older users, or anyone relying on assistive technology such as screen readers or voice commands. For us, that simply is not good enough.
Accessibility is not just a box to tick. It is a responsibility. It is an opportunity to create digital spaces that are more welcoming, easier to use and more effective for everyone.
That inclusive thinking is built into the way we work. All of the websites we develop are created with accessibility in mind as standard, and through our partnership with Recite Me, we can take this even further. Their customisable accessibility toolbar helps users read and understand online content in a way that suits their needs. It is a practical step, but one that can make a meaningful difference.
Accessibility is also becoming an increasingly important consideration for organisations from a legal perspective. With legislation such as the Equality Act, the upcoming European Accessibility Act and evolving WCAG standards shaping expectations in the public sector, inclusive design is no longer something businesses can afford to overlook.
There is also a strong business case for digital inclusion. Accessible websites often have clearer navigation, better structure, more readable content and a smoother overall user experience. Features like alt text, well-labelled buttons, proper heading structures and strong colour contrast do not just support accessibility, they improve usability for everyone.
We think it is important that accessibility remains at the forefront of conversations, which is why we also helped bring that discussion into the room here in Sunderland by hosting a digital accessibility event at City Hall alongside Recite Me, Sunderland City Council and MMC Research. The session brought together businesses from across the region to hear practical advice, explore the importance of inclusive design and better understand how to make digital services more accessible for everyone.
We were so pleased to be invited to speak at Sunderland City Council’s digital inclusion roundtable recently. The event put a much-needed spotlight on accessibility in digital services and brought together important voices from across the sector. It was great to hear from Baroness Hilary Armstrong, who chairs the UK’s Digital Inclusion Action Committee, alongside committee member Patrick Melia OBE.
It was a brilliant opportunity to share our expertise and insight from our work on making digital spaces more inclusive and accessible and contribute to a wider conversation about how digital services can work better for everyone.
Championing digital inclusion in the North East is not a side conversation for us. It is part of how we work, how we build, and how we show up in our community.
We also regularly share practical tips, insight and guidance on creating more inclusive digital spaces over on our blog, because the more knowledge we share, the more positive change we can create.
If you would like to know more about creating a more inclusive digital experience, or want to look at how accessible your own website is, we would be happy to help.
