Digital transformation and innovation have become buzzwords in the business world in recent years, and for good reason. With the rise of e-commerce, social media, and other digital platforms, businesses are investing heavily in new technologies and digital strategies to enhance their customer experience and increase efficiency. The ability to harness data analytics and artificial intelligence is also transforming the way businesses operate, enabling them to make better decisions and improve their overall performance. From a business perspective, digital transformation and innovation are essential for staying relevant in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Accessibility is generally understood as a moniker in the realm of ability/disability. We typically think of wheelchair ramps and braille signs. We aim to broaden the scope of this term to encompass a more impactful meaning in the realm of tech and business. The American Alliance of Museums writes of accessibility as “giving equitable access to everyone along the continuum of human ability and experience”. Why is this important to tech? To business? In tech, the goal of optimization is contingent on the usability of a product. In business, the goal is for a service or product to reach the maximum number of people to accrue profit. When we take into account the expanse of human experience and ability in our innovations, we push optimization to new heights, launch bottom lines, and most importantly, we stay competitive with cutting-edge solutions.
So, what exactly is digital innovation, and how does accessibility play into its deportment?
Digital innovation is the use of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain,and cloud computing, to create new or improved products, services, processes, and business models. It involves leveraging these technologies to solve problems and address challenges in new ways, as well as identifying new opportunities that were previously impossible or difficult to achieve.
Internet of Things (IoT), which refers to the network of interconnected devices and sensors that can communicate with each other and with humans, has enabled the creation of smart homes, cities, and industries, where everything from appliances and cars to streetlights and factories can be connected and controlled remotely. IoT items encompass accessibility, for they make using technologies easier and more streamlined in ways that help people across a wide breadth of identities. Whether it’s a smart lamp for a child growing into independence, a waste disposal-system for an overcrowded city, or app-controlled lights for a mobile-limited friend, the possibilities for ways that IoT can optimize human life are basically endless.
At its core, digital transformation refers to the process of using digital technologies to fundamentally change the way businesses operate and deliver value to customers. According to Forbes’ “ Innovation Vs. Transformation: The Difference In A Digital World”, “transformation describes those ongoing processes that happen in the world after innovation enters the scene”. lt involves rethinking business models, organizational structures, and customer experiences in light of the new opportunities presented by digital technologies.
Of course, digital transformation isn’t just about technology. It also involves a shift in mindset and culture. Companies that are truly committed to digital transformation need to be willing to embrace change and experiment with new approaches. For example, a study done by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO) found that “only 15 percent of households in LDCs [Least Developed Countries] have Internet access at home, and just over 20 percent have a mobile broadband subscription – four times less than in developed countries”. Though this fact demonstrates a devastating socio-economic gap, an apt business leader may evaluate a unique opportunity. Finding ways to bring the internet to remote communities and less developed areas of the world sets in motion a process that broadens profit-potential. Though this may mean lowering prices initially, the benefits of having the world at the tips of your fingers may result in large areas experiencing a jumpstart in development and a demand for more tech. The introduction of an innovation can trigger a cultural reset. Making tech accessible means that more people are able to both better their lives and support your business.
