Accessibility Testing Market

Market Overview

The global accessibility testing market size was valued at USD 564.73 million in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 825.43 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.32% during the forecast period (2024–2032). There is a growing awareness of the importance of digital accessibility and the rights of individuals with disabilities to access online content and services. Advocacy groups and initiatives are pushing for greater inclusivity, prompting businesses to prioritize accessibility in their digital strategies.

Moreover, increasing regulations and standards mandating digital accessibility, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are compelling organizations to ensure their digital assets are accessible to all users. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal repercussions and reputational damage.

Accessibility testing is a major component of software testing as it ensures that applications encompassing visual, hearing, cognitive, or physical impairments are usable by individuals with disabilities. As a subset of Usability Testing, it focuses specifically on verifying the usability and accessibility of software for diverse user groups. This entails evaluating how effectively individuals with disabilities can access and interact with the application. Various assistive technologies, such as speech recognition software, screen readers, screen magnification tools, and specialized keyboards, are employed in accessibility testing to simulate users' experiences with different needs and capabilities.

Furthermore, the importance of accessibility testing cannot be overstated. Firstly, it enables software products to cater to a sizable market of individuals with disabilities, promoting social inclusion and ensuring compliance with accessibility regulations like the ADA and DDA. Secondly, it mitigates the risk of lawsuits related to inaccessible products, which have affected prominent corporations. By integrating accessibility testing into the software testing life cycle, developers can proactively identify and address accessibility issues early in development. 

Highlights

• Mobile applications dominate the type segment.
• Small and medium enterprises dominate the application segment.

Market Dynamics

Global Accessibility Testing Market Drivers

Growing Demand for Agile and DevOps Test Automation

The surge in demand for agile and DevOps test automation is revolutionizing software development and testing practices. Agile methodologies promote iterative development and continuous feedback loops, while DevOps emphasizes collaboration and automation across the software development lifecycle. By integrating accessibility testing into these methodologies, companies can ensure that accessibility considerations are embedded from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought. This proactive approach not only fosters the creation of more accessible products but also facilitates faster time-to-market and enhances the overall user experience for individuals with disabilities. By embracing agile and DevOps practices in accessibility testing, organizations demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and compliance with accessibility standards.

By leveraging automated testing tools and incorporating accessibility testing into every stage of development, teams can identify and address accessibility issues early, reducing the risk of costly retrofits later in the development cycle. This proactive stance not only streamlines the development process but also cultivates a culture of accessibility and inclusivity within the organization. Ultimately, the integration of accessibility testing into agile and DevOps methodologies benefits both businesses and end-users. It enables companies to deliver accessible products that comply with regulatory requirements, meet user needs, and enhance the overall user experience, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Global Accessibility Testing Market Restraint

Lack of Adoption

The reluctance to embrace accessibility testing practices presents a significant challenge in the market. Despite the increasing awareness of accessibility needs and legal obligations for inclusivity, some businesses may neglect or postpone accessibility testing within their software development workflows. This oversight can result in digital products that are inaccessible, leading to potential legal ramifications, diminished user engagement, and tarnished brand reputation. By disregarding accessibility standards, companies risk excluding a substantial portion of the population from accessing their products and services, thereby constraining their market reach and customer base.

Furthermore, delaying the incorporation of accessibility considerations until later stages of development can escalate costs and efforts required to rectify accessibility issues. To address this challenge and foster market growth, businesses must prioritize accessibility testing from the onset of product development. Integrating accessibility into design and development processes and adhering to accessibility standards are essential steps to creating inclusive digital experiences for all users.

Global Accessibility Testing Market Opportunities

Increasing Emphasis on Inclusive Design and User Experience

Inclusive design and user experience present a compelling opportunity for Accessibility Testing companies. By prioritizing accessibility in digital product development, companies can design intuitive, easy-to-navigate interfaces that cater to all users. Inclusive design transcends mere compliance with accessibility standards, aiming to create products that meet users' diverse needs and preferences, thereby enhancing engagement and usability. Businesses that embrace inclusive design and accessibility testing stand to gain customer loyalty, bolster brand perception, and expand their market reach. By ensuring their digital products are accessible to individuals with disabilities, companies tap into a vast and often underserved market segment. Moreover, inclusive design fosters social responsibility and drives innovation by fostering creative solutions that benefit all users.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global accessibility testing market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

Europe's accessibility testing market is poised for rapid expansion, driven by several factors, notably the continent's growing aging population and the rising prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With the aging demographic, the incidence of AMD is expected to rise, further fueling the demand for accessibility testing services across the region. In tandem with North America, Europe is witnessing significant growth in the accessibility testing service market, buoyed by the efforts of well-established businesses to drive innovation. These companies are channeling their resources into developing cutting-edge automation technologies aimed at broadening their customer base, which includes individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, nations such as Germany, the UK, and France are at the forefront of driving growth in accessibility testing services in Europe. This can be attributed to the substantial presence of individuals suffering from AMD, estimated at approximately 34 million within the European Union alone. This demographic trend, coupled with the continent's aging population, underscores the pressing need for accessible digital platforms. Moreover, the rising demand for digital platforms prioritizing accessibility is propelling market growth. As consumers increasingly rely on digital services for various parts of their daily lives, there is a rising recognition of the importance of ensuring these platforms are accessible to users of all abilities. This is expected to propel regional market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global accessibility testing market is bifurcated into type and application.

Based on type, the global accessibility testing market is segmented into web applications and mobile applications.

The mobile apps segment dominates the global market. The surge in demand for mobile accessibility testing services is attributed to the widespread adoption of mobile devices and the high growth of mobile applications. Recognizing the importance of accommodating disabled users and fostering inclusive digital experiences, technology providers are prioritizing the enhancement of mobile app accessibility. The imperative for accessible and user-friendly mobile apps catering to users of all abilities has heightened the significance of mobile accessibility testing.

This specialized testing evaluates various aspects, including screen reader compatibility, touch target size, and gesture accessibility, ensuring that mobile apps are easily accessible to individuals with disabilities. With smartphones and mobile apps becoming indispensable tools for various tasks, the dominance of the mobile application segment within the Accessibility Testing market is further reinforced. This prominence is underpinned by inclusive design practices, adherence to accessibility regulations such as the ADA and WCAG, and a steadfast commitment to creating accessible digital experiences for all users.

Based on applications, the global accessibility testing market is segmented into small and medium enterprises and large enterprises.

The SME segment owns the highest market share. SMEs hold a significant market share due to their keen recognition of the advantages offered by accessible web and application design, including broader user reach and enhanced search engine visibility. Despite their smaller scale compared to large enterprises, SMEs are important in propelling the demand for accessibility testing services. As they strive to bolster their digital presence and extend their customer base, SMEs increasingly prioritize accessibility testing to ensure their digital assets cater to users of all abilities.

Moreover, the dominance of SMEs in the Accessibility Testing market is further underscored by the initiatives and programs tailored to assist smaller businesses in enhancing the accessibility and usability of their digital content. In many developing countries, governments and organizations are actively facilitating SMEs' efforts to improve the website and mobile app accessibility through targeted programs and regulations.

Impact of covid-19

COVID-19 has modified the way we function. Isolation and Stay-Put Orders have pushed the general populace to adopt a digitally-dependent lifestyle. For much of the transition has been manageable. Dinner can also be ordered or food can be purchased in a couple of taps. On the other hand, the current global pandemic (COVID-19) has created fresh and exacerbated ongoing problems for IT structures. The main challenge to usability research is achieving a good risk mitigation when many of the dependencies around which it is based are impacted. While some of these matters became immediate and needed to be addressed within the first two days of the lockdown, others remain unanswered.

The COVID 19 pandemic, on the other side, had a beneficial impact on the demand for usability research. The download of mobile applications and the use of web-based devices increased significantly in 2020, according to data obtained from our resources. In 2020, 218 billion mobile apps will be downloaded, up from 204 billion in 2019. As a result of the growing competition, businesses are under pressure to comply with the specifications of Section 508, ADA and WCAG, which increases the need for usability testing.

Organizations around the globe are trying to resume operations so that the pandemic has been held under control in most nations. Labeling and artwork management application developers, according to our report, will approach prospective players and assist them in transforming and repurposing their manufacturing facilities, as well as streamlining their supply chain operations across continents.

Recent Developments

• February 2024- Evinced, a provider of web and mobile accessibility solutions, saw its customer base triple by 2023 because of new prevention-focused tools such as Unit Tester and Design Assistant. These breakthroughs enable developers and designers to detect accessibility concerns well before release, signaling a shift in the industry toward prevention rather than post-hoc adjustments. The company's remarkable expansion has reinforced its place as a leading accessibility vendor, with partners including six of the top ten largest US and UK financial firms, as well as major media, SaaS, retail, and other elite businesses.
• January 2024- Assistiv Labs, a leading provider of accessibility testing solutions, announced the availability of a new end-to-end accessibility testing service. The service offers a thorough and dependable method for ensuring that digital items are available to all consumers, regardless of ability. Assistiv Labs' end-to-end accessibility testing service differs from previous solutions in automating step validation via a user interface. This ensures that UI flows are both accessible and meet WCAG criteria. The service also interfaces with code deployment pipelines (CI/CD), allowing customers to test every code change and ensure that their products are always available.