Consumers
Accessibility: Know before you buy
A product’s accessibility is often a mystery. For those of us with disabilities, that mystery can lead to a painful cycle of Fail-and-Repeat: we’ll buy a product, find that it doesn’t work for us, and then return it — only to repeat the cycle again. Or, we keep the product, but we’re only able to use a handful of the functions that others can use — while paying the same price.
In either case, no one benefits: not the consumers, not the retailers, not the manufacturers.
A better shopping experience
Product markings like nutrition labels and Energy Star stickers provide consumers with important information today — at the point of sale in a store. It would make sense, then, to have a physical accessibility label there in the store, or an accessibility rating on the product’s page online.
Whether shopping for yourself, or for friends and family members who have disabilties, the scoring system helps you make better purchasing decisions.
The same rating system for all products
Standard Accessibility Reporting is developing a set of standards for everyday products to allow consumers to determine if a product will work for them.
The score should mean the same thing in every context, whether you’re buying an app or the mobile phone itself; a microwave oven or a television, or even — in the future — a self-driving car.
Because they’re the same for every manufacturer, standardized scoring will allow buyers to make apples-to-apples comparisons. Standards also let industry players understand what disabled consumers need before they design and develop their products.
No more guessing games
Over the past three decades, we have all become used to the ramps and electronic door openers that make our public buildings accessible.
How accessible will that washing machine be for grandma?
No more guessing games… whether you’re buying for yourself or others, you’ll be better informed about a product’s accessibility before you buy.
The reporting standards are needed now. The labels you need to help you shop successfully are not here… yet.
How You Can Help Us Help You
Accessibility ratings are within reach, but they will not arrive until our nonprofit has developed them. We need the help of consumers like you to make this happen.
It takes a concerted effort, and funds are needed to support those who will be working on the development of the standards as a full-time job. You can help us accelerate the process through your participation and your donations, however large or small.
You can help us get there faster by becoming a donor or supporter member of our non-profit’s mission.