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Unlocking Digital Accessibility Through Collaboration

In an increasingly digital world, accessibility to online resources is not just a convenience; it’s more like a right. It’s imperative that everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and use digital content easily.
Guest article on improving accessibility

Peter Marshall, Sight Matters: In an increasingly digital world, accessibility to online resources is not just a convenience; it’s more like a right. It’s imperative that everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and use digital content easily. However, digital accessibility remains a challenging and evolving issue. Much of the internet was not initially designed with accessibility in mind, and while progress is being made, significant barriers still exist. 

This article primarily focuses on a novel and effective approach to addressing digital accessibility. It discusses a collaborative pilot between Sight Matters, a charity that supports blind and visually impaired people to lead inclusive, independent lives and SQR, a digital identity and eKYC solutions provider that is committed to inclusion for all. In it, we assess the pilot itself and delve into the broader role that collaboration can play in enhancing digital accessibility and creating a more inclusive online space.

Understanding digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility, at its core, is the practice of designing and developing digital content and tools in a way that ensures equal access for all individuals, including those with disabilities. This encompasses websites, applications, documents, and online services. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), serve as the global standard for making web content more accessible. They outline a range of criteria that, when implemented, provide a better user experience for people with disabilities.

It’s crucial to emphasise that accessibility is not solely about addressing visual impairments. While this is a significant aspect, it extends to individuals with hearing impairments, motor disabilities, cognitive impairments, and more. Providing equal access to all these groups is of paramount importance, both from a moral and an economic perspective.

Despite the growing awareness of digital accessibility’s importance, it remains a significant challenge. The digital landscape is in a constant state of evolution, and keeping up with accessibility standards can be daunting for many organisations, particularly those with large legacy websites and start-ups, where agility and efficiency are key (as opposed to taking on huge box-ticking exercises).

Piloting a New Approach

The core of this article is to highlight the transformative potential of collaboration in addressing digital accessibility. Rather than focusing on the broad concept of digital accessibility, this approach hones in on practical, real-world solutions.

The pilot scheme partnership between Sight Matters and SQR was designed to identify real-life pain points and catastrophic usability issues so that design changes can be targeted, effective, and meaningful.

The pilot project was borne out of a fortuitous encounter between a Sight Matters service member and SQR representatives at the Isle of Man FinTech Innovation Challenge. Following this chance meeting at the global competition spearheaded by the Isle of Man Government., which SQR went on to win,  team members from the digital identity start-up reached out to Sight Matters to explore ways they could collaborate to enhance the digital accessibility of their product.

The solution arrived at turned out to be both incredibly empowering and efficient. In short,  a series of focus groups were initiated, in which blind and visually impaired users attempted to sign up to SQR’s app, with any issues they encountered being recorded and relayed back to the company. This approach puts those with disabilities directly in contact with an evolving company, allowing them to have their experiences heard first-hand. It’s also incredibly efficient, providing SQR access to a niche, expert audience capable of finding design issues that may not be captured by a more formal (and formulaic) approach.

The results from this pilot project have been incredibly promising, emphasising the effectiveness and potential of this and similar approaches. In fact, the pilot allowed SQR Group to:

  • Enact User-Centred Design: Digital accessibility is not just about meeting compliance standards; it’s about creating user-centred solutions. These focus groups allowed SQR Group to directly engage with a specific target audience and design with them in mind.
  • Benefit from Real-World Testing: While automated testing tools are essential, they can’t replicate the full user experience. The focus groups provided real-world and real-time testing and feedback that identified issues that automated tools might miss.
  • Identify Pain Points: Focus groups uncovered specific challenges that individuals with disabilities faced when using SQR Group’s app. These insights will lead to targeted improvements and a better user experience.
  • Move Beyond Compliance: Going beyond mere compliance, focus groups can help organisations create a more inclusive online environment that goes the extra mile in meeting the diverse needs of users.

In essence, the Sight Matters and SQR digital accessibility pilot project exemplifies how collaboration and a user-centred approach can lead to more inclusive, efficient, and empowering digital experiences – and that this is achievable via community collaboration. The project is still in progress, but the early results provide a strong case for the benefits of such an approach. With the focus on agility and efficiency, this approach to digital accessibility holds promise in making the digital world more inclusive for all.

The Broader Impact of collaboration

Enhancing digital accessibility through collaboration between the private- and third-sectors has a far-reaching impact. It doesn’t just benefit the participants but also the digital landscape and society as a whole. Here are a few reasons why we’d encourage other organisations to adopt a similar collaborative approach:  

  • Economic Impact: Businesses that actively engage those with disabilities in their local communities open up their products and services to a more extensive and diverse customer base. This can lead to increased revenue and market reach. Additionally, it fosters innovation, as designing with accessibility in mind often leads to creative solutions that benefit all users.
  • Social Inclusion: Access to digital resources is an integral part of modern life. Making online content and services accessible ensures that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in society. 
  • Legal Compliance: Many countries have enacted legislation mandating digital accessibility, and non-compliance can lead to legal consequences. Collaboration can lead to a more proactive approach to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.
  • Innovation and User-centred Design: Collaboration encourages innovation. When businesses engage with individuals with disabilities to improve their digital products, they create user-centred solutions that can set them apart in the market.

The Path Forward

In a world where the digital landscape is constantly evolving, the need for accessible online resources is more significant than ever. Collaboration between businesses, governments and third-sector organisations presents a practical and efficient approach to enhancing digital accessibility, making it a reality for all. It is an approach that not only promotes inclusion but also spurs innovation, ultimately benefiting businesses and society. Collaboration is not just a path forward; is a leap towards a more inclusive digital world.

In this case study, we explore how digital identity verification can successfully address key challenges, demonstrating its impact in transforming public sector processes.

Solving Public Sector Pain Points: 

The need for independent validation of corporate ownership data has never been more pressing. As countries around the world intensify efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and financial crimes, understanding Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) has become a key global priority. Findings by the International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (FACTI Panel) estimates;

  • $500 billion losses to governments each year from profit-shifting enterprises;
  • $7 trillion in private wealth hidden in haven countries, with 10% of world GDP held offshore;
  • Money laundering of around $1.6 trillion per year, or 2.7% of global GDP.

One of the most effective tools in this battle is the beneficial ownership registry, but ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the information held within often presents a challenge. Certified digital identity solutions could provide the answer. 

What is a Beneficial Ownership Registry?

A beneficial ownership registry is a database that records the individuals who have significant control over, or who stand to benefit from, a legal entity such as a company or trust. The goal is to bring transparency to the ownership structure of companies, making it harder for criminals to hide behind complex corporate arrangements.

According to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global authority on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, a UBO is “the natural person(s) who ultimately owns or controls a customer or the natural person on whose behalf a transaction is being conducted.” This definition extends to those who exercise ultimate control over a legal entity, typically individuals who directly or indirectly own more than 25% of a company’s shares or voting rights.

The Challenges of UBO Disclosure

Identifying UBOs is not always straightforward. Ownership can be deliberately obscured through layered holding structures, spread across multiple jurisdictions with differing disclosure rules. This creates a significant challenge for authorities and regulators trying to track the real beneficiaries of a company. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised this critical risk in their 2022 whitepaper ‘A guide to Beneficial Ownership Transparency’, noting that countries should have mechanisms to ensure the accuracy of the data submitted.

FATF defines accuracy in the context of beneficial ownership information as having been “verified to confirm its accuracy by checking the identity and status of the beneficial owner using reliable, independently sourced or obtained documents, data, or information.” Given the complexities involved, independent validation of beneficial ownership data is critical. Without robust mechanisms, beneficial ownership registries run the risk of being inaccurate or incomplete, which leaves the system vulnerable to financial crime.

A Leading Example

One country that has made significant strides in beneficial ownership verification is Denmark. The Danish system integrates digital identity tools such as ‘MitID’ – a government-issued digital ID – with its beneficial ownership registry. MitID connects to an individual’s civil registration number, as well as their address in the Danish Address Register, enabling authorities to automatically cross-check all of the information submitted against trusted databases. This reduces the risk of both unintentional errors and fraud, ensuring a higher level of data accuracy.

However, while Denmark’s approach provides a model initiative in respect of the country’s resident beneficial owners, it does have limitations. Non-residents are ineligible for a MitID, necessitating an additional identity verification process for this group of beneficial owners. This adds complexity and relies on more traditional, less streamlined methods. 

Fostering an Inclusive Cross-Border Approach

Countries and jurisdictions without government-issued digital identity systems, or with foreign national UBOs, are increasingly turning to private sector digital identity solutions to validate their data. It is crucial however, that only digital identity providers certified to a recognised government standard – such as DIATF in the UK or eIDAS in the EU – are onboarded. This ensures that the verification process meets stringent regulatory and security benchmarks, providing a high level of trust and reliability. Find out how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being leveraged in this way here.

This type of collaboration between public and private sectors fosters the creation of innovative, tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each jurisdiction while also leveraging the advantages of reusability. For instance, individuals with a certified digital identity from an approved provider can seamlessly share their pre-verified identity information with the relevant authorities. This approach not only streamlines the verification process but also ensures adherence to stringent government standards, significantly mitigating the risk of fraud and enhancing the integrity of beneficial ownership data.

The Future of UBO Verification

Countries and jurisdictions without government-issued digital identity systems, or with foreign national UBOs, are increasingly turning to private sector digital identity solutions to validate their data. It is crucial however, that only digital identity providers certified to a recognised government standard – such as DIATF in the UK or eIDAS in the EU – are onboarded. This ensures that the verification process meets stringent regulatory and security benchmarks, providing a high level of trust and reliability. Find out how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being leveraged in this way here.

The use of independent digital identity systems represents a crucial step forward in improving the accuracy and security of beneficial ownership databases. By fostering collaboration between governments and the private sector, countries can implement innovative, scalable solutions that address the growing demands of the global regulatory environment. Ultimately, these advances will empower authorities to better tackle financial crime, increase public trust, and enhance the integrity of beneficial ownership data worldwide.

A secure, efficient and inclusive digital identity system offers a wide range of benefits. By adopting certified digital identity solutions, governments and organisations can streamline operations, build public trust, and create a more secure and transparent digital ecosystem. 

The benefits of secure, efficient and inclusive digital identity

A certified digital identity solution provides a reliable and verifiable source of information, minimising errors often associated with manual verification processes. This is particularly crucial for company beneficial ownership data, where accuracy is paramount to ensure transparency and accountability. By verifying the legitimacy of ownership, digital identity systems ensure that only authorised individuals can access sensitive information or claim beneficial ownership. This significantly reduces fraudulent activity, protecting both individuals and organisations.

Governments around the world face stringent regulatory requirements for transparency, anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). Certified digital verification identity solutions also help meet regulatory obligations, by providing a secure and trusted method for verifying beneficial owners. Automating and standardising the identity verification process further ensures that organisations are compliant with complex regulations, whilst also reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.

Managing large datasets manually is time-consuming and prone to errors. Thus, automating and streamlining data management and digital identity verification processes reduces administrative burdens and improves operational efficiency. This more accurate processing of ownership and identity data, in turn leads to better decision-making and resource allocation for governments and businesses. With a certified digital identity system, sensitive data related to ownership is better protected against breaches, thanks to robust encryption and authentication processes. These enhanced security measures ensure that sensitive information remains protected, and helps to maintain the integrity of ownership records.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to verify identities across borders is essential for multinational organisations and cross-border transactions. Certified digital identity solutions have the ability to integrate with international databases, ensuring consistency and reliability in identity verification on a global scale. It further plays a key role in enhancing global interoperability, as they enable integration with international databases. This is crucial for verifying identities consistently across borders, supporting multinational entities and cross-border transactions.

Additionally, governments that utilise certified digital identity verification systems can strengthen public confidence by demonstrating their commitment to transparency and safeguarding ownership data integrity. Furthermore, collaboration between governments and certified identity verification service providers fosters innovation. By partnering with cybertech firms, governments leverage advanced technology to develop scalable, compliant, and secure solutions for managing beneficial ownership databases.

This synergy benefits both parties, allowing governments to implement modern solutions while enabling tech firms to design systems aligned with regulatory needs.

Rebecca Glassey, Product & Operations Manager at SQR:

“Certified digital identity solutions are the cornerstone of secure, accurate data management in the modern era. By collaborating closely with government entities, we ensure that our technology not only meets the highest regulatory standards but also delivers the scalability and security that public systems demand. It’s all about providing a seamless and trusted verification process, while reducing the risk of fraud and errors in critical government datasets like beneficial ownership registers.”

Steven Webster, Head of Strategic Partnerships at SQR:

“Our work with government agencies highlights the immense value of public-private collaboration in tackling complex challenges such as identity verification. By partnering with certified Identity Service Providers, governments can adopt cutting-edge technology that ensures transparency and security in managing beneficial ownership data. This level of cooperation fosters innovation and enables both parties to create solutions that are not only efficient but also adaptable to the evolving regulatory landscape.”

For more details on how SQR’s certified digital identity solution is being implemented in collaboration with governments, refer to this SQR article.

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