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Articles

09 Apr 2025

Is your business accessibility ready?

More than one in four New Zealanders identify as disabled, yet many organisations still produce documents and emails that aren’t accessible to everyone. Whether it’s a bill, statement, brochure, or policy document, communications must now work for people with a wide range of needs across digital and printed formats.

To help, Cumulo9 has published a practical and informative paper that explores the current state of accessibility, the risks of non-compliance, and the technology solutions available. This resource is available now in our Resources section.

Why accessibility matters now

Globally, accessibility is becoming a priority across the public and private sectors. It’s now a top 10 investment area for customer experience leaders. Legislation such as the European Accessibility Act and standards like PDF/UA and WCAG 2.0 are now setting the benchmark, while in New Zealand, government agencies such as the DIA and Whaikaha are increasing their focus on inclusive digital services.

While New Zealand hasn’t introduced new accessibility legislation yet, the momentum is growing—and the risks of inaction are clear. In the US, thousands of web accessibility lawsuits were filed last year alone. Even without fines, the reputational damage from being seen as inaccessible can be significant. 

What’s inside the Cumulo9 accessibility whitepaper?

Our whitepaper provides:

  • A clear overview of global and local accessibility standards
  • Practical steps businesses can take to improve communications
  • Expert insights from Blind Low Vision NZ, Write Ltd, and accessibility professionals
  • A look at adaptive technologies, from screen readers to magnification tools
  • An introduction to Inspire Adapt—an automation tool that simplifies PDF remediation

The paper also includes perspectives from Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Disability Issues, on New Zealand’s current approach to accessibility through non-legislative measures.

The business case for action

While New Zealand does not enforce accessibility legislation at the same level as Europe or the US, this could change. Even without legal obligations, the business case for accessible communication is clear. Improving accessibility builds trust, extends your reach, and enhances the experience for all your customers—not just those with specific needs.

Investing now in accessibility—particularly in the daily documents and emails customers interact with - positions your business as forward-thinking, inclusive, and prepared. Tools like Quadient Inspire Adapt now make it easier than ever to automate the conversion of inaccessible PDFs into accessible formats—at scale and on demand. For many businesses, this removes one of the biggest barriers to progress.

If your business is serious about customer experience and inclusion, now is the time to act.

Download the full Accessibility Whitepaper to explore the full picture and get practical tips to improve your accessibility practices today. Our team is 

Have questions or want to know how Cumulo9 can support your accessibility journey? Contact us

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