Digital systems now shape nearly every aspect of daily life and accessibility has emerged as one of the most urgent standards in the design world. To understand how accessibility is influencing innovation, business strategy, and the future of user experience, we sat down with UX Design expert, Saloni Pasad, known for advancing inclusive digital design across multiple sectors. Her work centers on creating digital environments that work for everyone, and her perspective offers a clear look at where the industry is heading.
Interviewer: Many people still think of digital accessibility as a “nice to have.” From your perspective, why has it become essential?
Saloni: Accessibility has grown into a foundational part of modern digital design. What began as an ethical commitment is now one of the strongest drivers of innovation, risk management, public trust, and market expansion. When I talk with organizations, I often emphasize that accessibility is not a side project. It has become a strategic business requirement that shapes how products succeed in the real world.
Interviewer: You’ve said in the past that accessibility often leads to innovation. How does that happen?
Saloni: When we design for a wide range of abilities, we uncover solutions that end up benefiting everyone. Some of the digital features we use daily were originally created for users with specific limitations. Accessibility pushes us to rethink the structure of information, the clarity of interactions, and the adaptability of interfaces.
Teams that work this way consistently discover new methods and tools they wouldn’t have found otherwise. Even on the individual level, people who champion accessibility inside their organizations often gain recognition for creative problem-solving. In my experience, accessibility has been one of the most reliable engines for future-ready design.
Interviewer: The legal landscape around accessibility seems to be shifting quickly. How important is that factor?
Saloni: It’s extremely important. Many countries now have laws requiring accessible digital services, and the number of lawsuits over inaccessible websites has risen dramatically. I often describe the financial logic in straightforward terms: it is far cheaper to build accessibility into a system from the start than to respond to legal action afterward.
Organizations that treat accessibility as optional increasingly find themselves facing penalties, attorney fees, and years of mandated oversight. That’s why the most forward-looking companies are integrating accessibility into their standard processes rather than waiting for compliance issues to catch up with them.
Interviewer: You’ve also spoken about reputation and trust. How do those connect to accessibility?
Saloni: Today, a user’s experience, good or bad, travels at the speed of the internet. When someone finds a website genuinely accessible, they talk about it. Their network talks about it. These ripple effects can reach hundreds or thousands of people. The same is true for negative experiences.
For organizations, this makes accessibility a credibility marker. For individuals like designers or developers, it becomes a professional differentiator. I see this especially in public-sector hiring, where accessibility literacy is no longer a bonus but an expected qualification. Bringing a thoughtful accessibility process into your work signals both skill and responsibility.
Interviewer: What about the business case? How significant is the market represented by people with disabilities?
Saloni: Enormous. More than a billion people worldwide live with disabilities, and together they represent spending power in the trillions. As populations age, that number will only grow. From a business perspective, it is unwise to ignore such a large demographic.
Accessible design doesn’t just improve usability; it expands reach. When a digital interface works reliably with assistive technologies, it often becomes the easiest way for someone to make a purchase or use a service. That kind of user loyalty can’t be bought through advertising alone. It comes from meaningful inclusion.
Interviewer: We’re also hearing more about SEO connections. Does accessibility really affect search visibility?
Saloni: Absolutely. Search engines reward clarity and structure, and many accessibility practices create exactly that. When content is properly labeled, when images have meaningful descriptions, when layouts adapt smoothly across screen sizes, search engines can interpret the page more effectively. So accessibility improves both the human experience and the machine’s understanding of the content. Sites that follow these principles naturally rise in search rankings.
Interviewer: For someone working in UX and digital design, what does mastery of accessibility represent?
Saloni: It represents a higher standard of practice. Accessibility is now one of the clearest markers of professional distinction. It shows that you understand not just aesthetics but functionality, inclusion, ethics, and long-term sustainability.
People who advance accessibility, through research, public writing, design leadership, or hands-on product development, are helping shape the digital infrastructure that society relies on. In many ways, accessibility has become a measure of who is truly elevating the field.
Interviewer: Last question. For those unfamiliar with your work, what drives your commitment to accessibility?
Saloni: I see accessibility as a cultural responsibility and a creative opportunity. It challenges me to build digital spaces where everyone can participate fully. And it allows me to contribute original thinking in an area that is evolving rapidly. Accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement. It’s a way of shaping a more thoughtful digital world. That’s what keeps me committed to it, and it’s why I believe it deserves far more attention than it currently receives.
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