A universal design approach to all things designed is a smart approach for every organisation and business. This is not new information to followers of universal design principles. However, we need to keep saying it to remind all designers to be inclusive with their designs. It is a smart approach with economic benefits as a Getaboutable blog post says.
“By considering universal design from the outset, businesses and institutions can foster inclusivity while also achieving long-term efficiencies.”

CUDA followers are aware of the benefits, but the Getaboutable blog post is a good example of how to explain these to others. It covers all the usual suspects such as being beyond compliance and the benefit of a proactive approach.
Benefits of a smart approach
Universal design improves usability, enhances customer and employee satisfaction, and often leads to innovative solutions that serve a broader audience. Organisations that integrate universal design principles early in their planning process can realise significant advantages:
- Cost Savings: Addressing accessibility needs from the start is far more cost-effective than retrofitting solutions later. Fixing non-compliant infrastructure or redesigning a digital platform after launch is expensive and disruptive.
- Broader Market Reach: An inclusive approach allows businesses to connect with a more diverse audience. With over 1.3 billion people worldwide living with a disability—many of whom influence purchasing decisions—universal design is also a smart business strategy.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many industries face increasing legal and ethical expectations around accessibility. Taking a universal design approach helps organisations stay ahead of evolving standards and avoid potential legal challenges.
- Economic Benefit: Investing in universal design is not just a social responsibility; it also makes sound economic sense. Research indicates that companies leading in disability inclusion outperform their peers financially. Over a five-year period, such companies experienced 1.6 times more revenue and 2.6 times more net income than others.*
There is more in this blog post, Universal Design: A Smarter Approach for Every Organisation. All images portray a visible disability. At the end of the post is a link to 4 tips for creating accessible online information.