There are around 8.5 million people in the UK who have some form of disability. RNIB estimates that two million have some sort of sight problem, ranging from mild to severe.
This figure does not include other groups with accessibility needs such as colour blindness, epilepsy, mobility problems, dyslexia or low literacy.
Myth: Accessibility only benefits blind people
Sight problems and blindness are not the only forms of impairment affecting people who use software. Hearing, dexterity, memory, and capacity to learn new things all deteriorate with age, but many older people do not consider themselves 'disabled'. People who have difficulty reading English may have dyslexia, or it may be that English is not their first language.
Accessible applications work better for everyone who uses them, not just those with a special need or disability. Making sure that software is accessible can dramatically increase its usability.
Myth: Disabled people won't be using this software
Microsoft commissioned research in 2003 and 2004 to measure the current and potential market of accessible technology in the United States and understand how accessible technology is being used.
The research found that in the United States, 60 per cent (101.4 million) of working-age adults who range from 18 to 64 years old are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to difficulties and impairments that may impact computer use.
The population is ageing. The number of over-64's who will be using computers is set to increase, so these figures will rise - a very convincing argument for making sure that software is accessible to all.
Find out more about Microsoft's research.
We've had an accessible website for ages
Websites aren't the only software interfaces that people use in work, school, colleges or in public spaces. The use of technology is increasing in our society, and is being encouraged as a way to control costs - within local and central government, health services, including identity verification and, possibly, voting before long. Some of these software interfaces will not be simple websites and accessibility will need to be taken into consideration in any technology expected to be used by the general public.
Find out more about web accessibility myths.
There's no law against it
It is true that the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) doesn't specifically outlaw the sale or purchase of inaccessible software, but any systems that are implemented must not discriminate against disabled people.
A revision to the DDA that came into force at the end of 2006 has introduced an important new regulation: the Public Sector Duty to promote disability equality (also known as the Disability Equality Duty). Government employers and service providers will in future have to consider accessibility when they specify and buy software.
In the US, this type of legislation has made a big difference, because software developers have had to make their products accessible or face losing business in the largest IT market in the world.
Find out more about the Disability Discrimination Act and the public sector Disability Equality Duty.
Accessibility is time-consuming, expensive and very technical
Retro-fitting software to make it accessible can be all of the above, but building accessibility into the design and build of software need not be. You'll find that it contributes to the usability of the system for everybody, and cuts down on costs of maintenance.