Agencies Need to Focus on Enhancing Digital Accessibility for All
Why Havas Isn't Alone in Pushing Accessibility:
Back in the year, the vanguard thinkers at Havas' New York and Germany offices unveiled an innovative app, aptly named Staybl, that revolutionizes smartphone and tablet usage for those grappling with hand tremors. This game-changing app, generously offered at no cost, has made waves on the app store.
The project took flight after a team member's family member was hit with a Parkinson's diagnosis, finding the digital world increasingly inaccessible. The ardor for leveraging business as a catalyst for good surged when Havas undertook the pro bono initiative. Kathrin Hoffmann, the head of experience and systems design at Havas CX, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Staybl set us on a path of truly using business as a force for good."
Havas isn't the only player in town striving to redefine the discourse around accessibility. Across the landscape of the advertising sector, a significant shift can be observed.
Disruptors on the Horizon:
- VML has built a reputation for its creative prowess in accessibility and social advancement. For instance, they launched the "Sound Sites" campaign, which boosts online accessibility for visually impaired travelers by integrating poetic alt-text penned by acclaimed songwriters[4].
- ACT Responsible exhibits creative work tackling social and environmental issues, including accessibility. In an inspiring demonstration at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, they showcased campaigns crafted by various agencies, emphasizing the pivotal role of advertising in fostering change[4].
- Sony, with an eye towards sustainability, has prioritized accessibility as part of its ongoing mission. Their strategy, categorized under "Delivering innovation for an accessible future," aims to bridge gaps and foster creativity for all[5].
Developments akin to Havas' Staybl app can be traced in numerous agency projects and campaigns emphasizing accessibility solutions. As the broader trend in the advertising industry progresses, the focus shifts towards encouraging inclusivity and accessibility, with numerous trailblazers contributing in innovative, creative ways to the cause.
- In the realm of technology, science, and health-and-wellness, VML has established a noteworthy reputation, demonstrating its creative talents in accessibility and social advancement.
- Gadgets and social media have become significant tools for change, as evidenced by ACT Responsible's creative works addressing social and environmental issues, including accessibility.
- The entertainment industry, including giants like Sony, is also embracing the inclusivity movement, with sustainability and accessibility at the forefront of their innovation strategies.
