As businesses navigate digital transformation, accessibility and user-centric design are no longer optional—they are fundamental. At Colectivo, our collaboration with Progress Systems and Credit Unions has shown how thoughtful design can create inclusive, user-friendly digital banking experiences that reflect a deep commitment to social responsibility. Accessibility was a cornerstone of this project, ensuring that the needs of all users—regardless of their digital or financial literacy—were thoughtfully addressed.
At Colectivo, we view the EU’s Web Accessibility Act as a guiding framework for our design approach, ensuring inclusivity at every step. By embedding accessibility into each stage of the design process, UX teams can foster trust and loyalty while delivering digital services that meet diverse needs. Key to this approach is engaging a wide range of stakeholders—end-users, Credit Union representatives, web developers, and researchers—to ensure a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder perspective.

A critical element of this process is our workshop model. Through activity-based, engaging sessions, we work collaboratively to uncover insights, address challenges, and construct solutions that prioritise accessibility and user needs.
"Our team has gained invaluable insights through Colectivo's exceptional workshops. The sessions were engaging, informative, and delivered with outstanding expertise. Thank you for helping us elevate our UX practices."— João Moita, Head of Web Development at Progress Systems

Accessible design isn’t just good practice—it’s a reflection of an organisation’s social responsibility. By prioritising inclusivity and engaging diverse voices, businesses can create digital services that truly serve everyone, setting a benchmark for thoughtful and ethical digital transformation.
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Best Practices in Accessible Design: To achieve accessibility and inclusivity, organisations should...
Incorporate end-user feedback throughout the design process.
Simplify navigation and reduce cognitive load.
Embrace prototyping and iterative testing to refine user experience.
Design with a growth mindset, remaining open to learning and adapting.
Did you know about Ireland’s Digital Transition Fund? This is a key resource for organisations committed to improving accessibility in digital services. By embracing best practices, businesses can ensure their digital transformation initiatives are inclusive and impactful. Learn more here: Digital Transition Fund.
About the Credit Union Movement: In many ways credit unions differ from banks and other financial institutions. They are not-for-profit, member-owned financial service organisations which have been serving the people of Ireland since 1958. Credit unions don’t have customers, they have members and throughout the island of Ireland, there are more than 3.6 million credit union members who benefit by saving together and lending to each other at a fair and reasonable rates of interest. - ILCU.