Ikea ramps up digital accessibility and inclusion push with introduction of new solutions and tools

Ikea has announced the roll-out of new digital accessibility and inclusion initiatives.

This includes partnering with the Vantaa store in Finland to test out a live navigation tool to help blind and low vision customers. Additionally, the tool can help those who do not speak the local language by providing voiced directions in over 30 languages.

Ikea is also investing in an automated crawler to enhance accessibility checks across the company. This will complement the existing self-assessment guide and template that product teams already use, with the aim of ensuring more comprehensive and consistent accessibility improvements. 

Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group), says: “Accessibility isn’t just about standards - it’s about making everyone feel welcome. As Ikea advances digitally, it embraces the responsibility to create seamless, inclusive experiences for many.”

In 2021, the retailer established the Digital Inclusive Design, Equity & Accessibility Centre of Expertise (Digital IDEA CoE). The team sets direction, guidelines and tools to enable product teams to create accessible digital solutions by improving things like navigation, image and product descriptions, research with people with disabilities and compatibility with assistive technologies.

“Diverse teams create inclusive products, but real change happens by integrating accessibility into policies, processes, and ways of working,” says Tie Wang-Jones, Global Head of Inclusive Design & Accessibility at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group). “The centre brings together experts from multiple disciplines, prioritising people with disabilities and neurodiversities to lead the work and shift historical marginalisation.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Digital accessibility and inclusion will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.