According to theOverview of Digital Accessibility, study conducted by theHand Talk,pioneering startup in the use of artificial intelligence for digital accessibilityIn partnership with the Web for All Movement, one of the main obstacles to digital inclusion in companies is the lack of knowledge about the subject:54% of companies are still unaware of the essential practices to make their platforms accessible.
The implementation of digital accessibility practices goes beyond compliance 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 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 carefully consider the positive impact on society and the business, and many organizations are still working towards adopting this proactive stance," adds the CEO.
According to Tenório, it is essential for companies to follow best accessibility practices. "It is essential for organizations to stay updated on best accessibility practices, such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions in videos, and appropriate contrasts. These are just a few examples of how accessibility can be effectively implemented," he explains. The Hand Talk Plugin, for example, is a solution developed by a startup that offers dozens of assistive features for deaf people, individuals with hearing impairments, dyslexia, visual impairments, neurocognitive disorders, and reading difficulties, and can be incorporated into both public websites and company websites, creating a more inclusive environment for potential consumers.
Against this backdrop, companies from various sectors, such as Claro, Sodexo, and Gupy, invested in Hand Talk's inclusive technologies, demonstrating that digital accessibility is not only a social responsibility but also an effective strategy for growth and market expansion. Check out the success stories below:
Gupy: mais de 31 mil usuários ativos utilizam recurso para navegação
Gupy, the number 1 human capital management platform, aims to boost human potential by making people and businesses thrive together through agile and fair technologies for recruitment, digital onboarding, training, climate surveys, 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 recruitment agency's website, the brand of1.4 million words translated into Libras has been surpassedSoon after, the number grew to more than16.7 million words translated, impacting over 20,000 people per monthIn 2023, Gupy reached first place in the ranking of the most translated websites by Hand Talk.
On the homepage of the website,More than 31,000 active users use the Hand Talk Plugin for browsing.On the applications page, there are almost17 million active usersThe tool also stands out on the job search page in different areas, especially in the healthcare sector. Since the beginning of the partnership, Gupy has alreadytranslated more than 37.1 million words into Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS), establishing itself as an example of digital accessibility in the recruitment sector.
Claro: atendimento inclusivo e mais de 260 milhões de palavras traduzidas no site
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 achieved the1st place in the Anatel Accessibility Award in 2020, 2022, and 2023assessment promoted by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Since the beginning of the partnership, Claro has remained in theRanking of the most translated sites by Hand Talk, with over 260 million words translated until May 2023In addition to implementing the plugin on the website, the company continues to develop inclusive actions and support the cause of digital accessibility, standing out as an example of innovation and social responsibility in the telecommunications sector.
Sodexo: comunicação com 2 mil colaboradores com deficiência
The French group Sodexo also successfully implemented the Hand Talk Plugin, making its intranet and website more accessible to employees and clients. With Maya (the virtual translator from Hand Talk) translating texts and images into Sign Language, the companyFacilitated communication with approximately 2,000 employees with disabilities, of whom nearly 500 have hearing impairments..
After the first year of partnership, Sodexo expanded its commitment to inclusion through the "Projeto Maya," which has become a strategic accessibility initiative. The project was widely promoted across all of the company's communication channels and reinforced with the installation of Maya kiosks in Sodexo's offices in Brazil, promoting awareness and engagement among the entire team. With the use of the plugin, Sodexo expanded its accessibility efforts in processes and connections, becoming a reference in digital inclusion. As a result, the company achieved theMunicipal Seal of Human Rightsand received excellent ratings in diversity, equity, and inclusion, strengthening its image as a leader in corporate accessibility.
Digital accessibility as a competitive advantage
According to the latest survey by The World Bank,1 billion people, or 15% of the world's population, are being underserved by commerce, including electronic commerce, due to lack of accessibility., which highlights the importance of companies adopting inclusive practices to expand their businesses and strengthen their brands. By investing in digital accessibility, companies not only expand their reach but also contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society.
