According to the Digital Accessibility Overview, a study conducted by Hand Talk, the pioneering startup in using artificial intelligence for digital accessibility, in partnership with the Web for All Movement, one of the main obstacles to digital inclusion in companies is the lack of knowledge about the topic: 54% of companies are still unaware of the essential practices to make their platforms accessible.
The implementation of digital accessibility practices goes beyond complying with legal obligations, such as the guidelines of the Brazilian Inclusion Law (LBI). For Ronaldo Tenório, CEO and co-founder of Hand Talk, digital accessibility is not just a matter of social responsibility but also a competitive differentiator. ‘Companies that care about being accessible expand their audience and strengthen their brand. Ensuring access for everyone is essential in today’s digital world. Strategy is when we measure the positive impact on society and business, and many organizations are still moving toward adopting this proactive stance,’ adds the CEO.
According to Tenório, it is essential that companies follow the best accessibility practices. ‘Organizations must stay updated on the best accessibility practices, such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, video captions, and adequate contrasts. These are just a few examples of how accessibility can be effectively applied,’ he explains. The Hand Talk Plugin, for example, is a solution developed by the startup that offers dozens of assistive features for deaf, hearing-impaired, dyslexic, visually impaired, neurocognitive-disordered, and reading-challenged individuals. It can be incorporated into both public and corporate websites, creating a more inclusive environment for potential consumers.
Contrary to this scenario, companies from different sectors, such as Claro, Sodexo, and Gupy, have invested in Hand Talk’s inclusive technologies, demonstrating that digital accessibility is not just a social responsibility but also an effective strategy for growth and market expansion. Check out these success stories below:
Gupy: Over 31,000 active users utilize the navigation feature
Gupy, the number 1 human capital management platform, aims to boost human potential by helping people and businesses thrive together through agile and fair technologies for recruitment, digital onboarding, training, climate research, and performance evaluation. In 2021, with the start of the partnership between Hand Talk and Gupy, translation records were broken. Just 17 days after installing the Hand Talk Plugin on the recruiter’s website, the mark of 1.4 million words translated into Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) was surpassed. Soon after, the number grew to more than 16.7 million words translated, impacting over 20,000 people per month. In 2023, Gupy reached first place in the ranking of the most translated websites by Hand Talk.
On the homepage, over 31,000 active users utilize the Hand Talk Plugin for navigation. On the application page, there are nearly 17,000 active users. The tool also stands out on the job search page across different fields, especially in healthcare. Since the beginning of the partnership, Gupy has translated over 37.1 million words into Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), establishing itself as an example of digital accessibility in the recruitment sector.
Claro: Inclusive service with over 260 million words translated on the website
Claro, one of the largest telecommunications operators in Brazil and a leader in the sector in Latin America, is present in all regions of the country, reaching over 96% of the population in 4,200 municipalities. To expand digital inclusion, the company adopted the Hand Talk Plugin for automatic translation of texts and images with alternative descriptions into Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). With this initiative, Claro won the 1st place in the Anatel Accessibility Award in 2020, 2022, and 2023, an evaluation promoted by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Since the start of the partnership, Claro has remained in the ranking of the most translated websites by Hand Talk, with over 260 million words translated by May 2023. Beyond implementing the plugin on its website, the company continues to develop inclusive initiatives and support digital accessibility, standing out as an example of innovation and social responsibility in the telecommunications sector.
Sodexo: Communication with 2,000 employees with disabilities
The French group Sodexo also successfully implemented the Hand Talk Plugin, making its intranet and website more accessible for employees and clients. With Maya (Hand Talk’s virtual translator) translating texts and images into Libras, the company facilitated communication with approximately 2,000 employees with disabilities, nearly 500 of whom have hearing impairments.
After the first year of partnership, Sodexo expanded its commitment to inclusion through the ‘Project Maya,’ which became a strategic accessibility initiative. The project was widely promoted across all company communication channels and reinforced with the installation of Maya totems in Sodexo’s Brazilian offices, raising awareness and engagement among the entire team. With the plugin, Sodexo expanded its accessibility efforts in processes and connections, becoming a reference in digital inclusion. As a result, the company earned the Municipal Human Rights Seal and received excellent evaluations in diversity, equity, and inclusion, strengthening its image as a leader in corporate accessibility.
Digital accessibility as a competitive differentiator
According to the latest survey by The World Bank, 1 billion people, or 15% of the global population, are underserved by commerce, including e-commerce, due to a lack of accessibility, highlighting the importance of companies adopting inclusive practices to expand their businesses and strengthen their brands. By investing in digital accessibility, companies not only broaden their reach but also contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society.
