According to the WHO, about 15% of the world population has some sort of disability. Another way to think of that is one in seven people, or a billion total people throughout the world currently live with a disability.

Yet, 90% of websites are inaccessible to people with disabilities who rely on assistive technology. And 71% of disabled visitors will leave a website that’s inaccessible.

Disabilities are everywhere, either visible or invisible, temporary or permanent. The one thread that connects them all is that disabilities make it more difficult to do tasks that able-bodied people take for granted, such as using a keyboard or reading text on a website.

Companies everywhere are failing to accommodate a significant portion of the world’s population by not investing in accessible websites. There’s never been more urgency than now. It's estimated that companies without accessible sites are losing about $6.9 billion a year to competitors with accessible sites. Not only that, but inaccessible websites are putting businesses at risk of hefty lawsuits from individuals or special interest groups. Brands like Nike, Netflix, Amazon, Domino’s Pizza, and many more have all faced their fair share of lawsuits for their inaccessible websites.

By becoming an a11y—which stands for “accessibility”—and building websites that are universally accessible, you’re helping to make the internet a more equitable place. This HubSpot User Group presentation will break down accessibility best practices as well as the many risks of an inaccessible website.

We’re excited to welcome guest speaker Shea Belsky, Senior Software Engineer at HubSpot, for our next HUG. He’s currently working on the Social team to connect businesses with the power of social media.

Shea is an autistic self-advocate, focused on making the world a more accepting and inclusive place for the neurodiverse. He is also a member of HubSpot's Disability Alliance, a place for HubSpotters with disabilities and allies to come together as a community and work through challenges, joys, and questions. He can be reached at sbelsky@hubspot.com.

Save your seat for this amazing opportunity to learn more about web accessibility and what you can do to become an a11y!