More than half of companies rate the level of accessibility in their business highly – EBA and UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group survey

05/ 10/ 2026

Listen to online Stop   44% of companies rate the level of accessibility in their organisation as high, while a further 11% rate it as very high. At the same time, 22% of respondents describe it as medium, while 23% rate it as low or very low. These are the findings of the “Accessibility Index” survey conducted by the European Business Association with the support of UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group among the Association’s member companies to assess the level of implementation of accessibility principles. Despite the largely positive assessments, a systematic approach to accessibility has not yet been adopted by all companies. Thus, 41% of the companies surveyed have an approved accessibility policy, while 47% of respondents allocate a separate budget for relevant measures. The majority of surveyed companies (92%) have physical offices, shops or other locations. At the same time, 65% of businesses have already conducted a physical accessibility audit. 38% of companies rate the physical accessibility of their premises as high, while 21% rate it as medium. At the same time, 32% acknowledge that accessibility remains low or very low. Only 9% consider their premises to be fully accessible in line with universal design principles and state building regulations. Rented premises are an additional barrier to infrastructure improvements. Almost half of companies (46%) note that building owners limit their ability to adapt the space. One third of companies (31%) rate the level of digital accessibility in their business highly, including 5% that say digital accessibility is fully integrated into all products and services in line with international standards. 27% of respondents rate its level as medium, while 42% acknowledge a low or very low level of digital accessibility. 37% of surveyed companies rate the adaptation of recruitment processes and the working environment for people with different needs as high, while a further 15% rate it as very high. At the same time, 22% acknowledge that these processes remain insufficiently adapted. At the same time, 76% of companies provide reasonable accommodation of workplaces for employees when needed. The majority of businesses also already use inclusive and accessible language: 64% of companies in external communications and 60% in internal communications. 37% of companies rate the accessibility of their products and services as high, while a further 9% rate it as very high. At the same time, almost one third of businesses report a low or very low current level of consideration of the needs of different customer groups. 63% of companies plan to strengthen their focus on accessibility over the next year. The majority of respondents (72%) say they aim to implement solutions universally — equally for all user groups, rather than only for specific target groups. Where companies focus on specific groups, these most often include people with physical disabilities, older people, people with temporary mobility impairments, people with hearing, visual or speech impairments, as well as people with PTSD. The main barriers to implementing accessibility most frequently identified by businesses are the complexity of adapting physical spaces and infrastructure (71%), lack of funding (44%), insufficient expertise (29%), as well as insufficient internal prioritisation and a lack of government incentives (23% each). Companies identify physical accessibility, economic accessibility covering HR and employment, and information and digital accessibility as their top priorities. At the same time, physical accessibility remains the area where companies face the greatest challenges in implementation, as reported by 66% of respondents. Practical recommendations and checklists, examples of successful cases from other companies, expert advice, financial instruments and grant programmes could help accelerate the implementation of accessibility. Businesses also highlight the importance of tax incentives, government requirements and team training. 6% of companies report an expanded customer base as a result of implementing accessibility principles, while a further 17% note a partially positive impact. At the same time, 17% have not seen such an effect, while the majority (60%) have not yet assessed the impact of accessibility measures on audience growth. Almost half of companies (46%) have not yet assessed the ratio of costs to results from implementing accessibility measures. At the same time, 45% already consider such investments to be fully or partially justified, while only 9% do not consider them justified. For reference The survey was conducted among member companies of the European Business Association. A total of 87 respondents participated in the study, including 70% representing large enterprises, 23% medium-sized and 7% small companies. The largest groups among the participants represented the banking and financial sector, retail, agribusiness, the automotive industry, IT and telecommunications. HR professionals (39%), top management (25%) and ESG professionals (15%) were the most represented among respondents. The research partner in 2026 is UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group.

44% of companies rate the level of accessibility in their organisation as high, while a further 11% rate it as very high. At the same time, 22% of respondents describe it as medium, while 23% rate it as low or very low.

These are the findings of the “Accessibility Index” survey conducted by the European Business Association with the support of UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group among the Association’s member companies to assess the level of implementation of accessibility principles.

Despite the largely positive assessments, a systematic approach to accessibility has not yet been adopted by all companies. Thus, 41% of the companies surveyed have an approved accessibility policy, while 47% of respondents allocate a separate budget for relevant measures.

The majority of surveyed companies (92%) have physical offices, shops or other locations. At the same time, 65% of businesses have already conducted a physical accessibility audit.

38% of companies rate the physical accessibility of their premises as high, while 21% rate it as medium. At the same time, 32% acknowledge that accessibility remains low or very low. Only 9% consider their premises to be fully accessible in line with universal design principles and state building regulations.

Rented premises are an additional barrier to infrastructure improvements. Almost half of companies (46%) note that building owners limit their ability to adapt the space.

One third of companies (31%) rate the level of digital accessibility in their business highly, including 5% that say digital accessibility is fully integrated into all products and services in line with international standards. 27% of respondents rate its level as medium, while 42% acknowledge a low or very low level of digital accessibility.

37% of surveyed companies rate the adaptation of recruitment processes and the working environment for people with different needs as high, while a further 15% rate it as very high. At the same time, 22% acknowledge that these processes remain insufficiently adapted.

At the same time, 76% of companies provide reasonable accommodation of workplaces for employees when needed.

The majority of businesses also already use inclusive and accessible language: 64% of companies in external communications and 60% in internal communications.

37% of companies rate the accessibility of their products and services as high, while a further 9% rate it as very high. At the same time, almost one third of businesses report a low or very low current level of consideration of the needs of different customer groups.

63% of companies plan to strengthen their focus on accessibility over the next year. The majority of respondents (72%) say they aim to implement solutions universally — equally for all user groups, rather than only for specific target groups.

Where companies focus on specific groups, these most often include people with physical disabilities, older people, people with temporary mobility impairments, people with hearing, visual or speech impairments, as well as people with PTSD.

The main barriers to implementing accessibility most frequently identified by businesses are the complexity of adapting physical spaces and infrastructure (71%), lack of funding (44%), insufficient expertise (29%), as well as insufficient internal prioritisation and a lack of government incentives (23% each).

Companies identify physical accessibility, economic accessibility covering HR and employment, and information and digital accessibility as their top priorities.

At the same time, physical accessibility remains the area where companies face the greatest challenges in implementation, as reported by 66% of respondents.

Practical recommendations and checklists, examples of successful cases from other companies, expert advice, financial instruments and grant programmes could help accelerate the implementation of accessibility. Businesses also highlight the importance of tax incentives, government requirements and team training.

6% of companies report an expanded customer base as a result of implementing accessibility principles, while a further 17% note a partially positive impact. At the same time, 17% have not seen such an effect, while the majority (60%) have not yet assessed the impact of accessibility measures on audience growth.

Almost half of companies (46%) have not yet assessed the ratio of costs to results from implementing accessibility measures. At the same time, 45% already consider such investments to be fully or partially justified, while only 9% do not consider them justified.

For reference

The survey was conducted among member companies of the European Business Association. A total of 87 respondents participated in the study, including 70% representing large enterprises, 23% medium-sized and 7% small companies.

The largest groups among the participants represented the banking and financial sector, retail, agribusiness, the automotive industry, IT and telecommunications.

HR professionals (39%), top management (25%) and ESG professionals (15%) were the most represented among respondents.

The research partner in 2026 is UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group.