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Accessibility Cost Benefit Analysis Model

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From: Peter Shikli
Date: Jul 12, 2017 1:01PM


The legal beagles have passed word to me that the new administration is
bringing to bear cost-benefit analysis as part of enforcing Section 508 and
other accessibility rules, that is, judges are being asked to consider cost
and benefit as part of their rulings. If this is true, I would like to
explore what spreadsheet-based cost-benefit models exist for online
accessibility.

I've uncovered (dated) reports like
g3ict.org/download/p/fileId_938/productId_248 that discuss the topic, but
not a model into which a particular accessibility issue can plug its
what-if scenarios. For example, I'm looking for a model that includes the
added cost of providing support for a blind website visitor unable to use
the inaccessible self-serve option on a website, or the productivity
benefit of an employed blind person able to use an online resource, or the
sales increase of blind customers able to buy products online -- all that
in comparison to the remediation cost of providing accessibility.

Has anyone heard of such a spreadsheet-based cost-benefit model reflecting
current factors?

Cheers,
Peter Shikli