Abstract

This thesis investigates the ongoing marginalization of accessibility in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, challenging the perception of accessibility as an afterthought. Despite its growing awareness and evolving legal frameworks, many CPG businesses continue to overlook inclusive design in packaging, often citing cost, time constraints, or competing business priorities. Through a mixed-method approach—combining primary research using Microsoft’s Seeing AI app with an extensive literature review—this study evaluates the real-world performance of product packaging meeting the needs of consumers with disabilities. Eleven products across various CPG categories were assessed based on five accessibility criteria: recognition accuracy, text readability, contrast and font size, tactile features, and digital accessibility tools. While Seeing AI successfully identified all products, significant limitations emerged in its ability to relay complete product information, particularly where packaging lacked readability, tactile elements, or accessible QR codes. These findings reinforce that most CPG brands fail to meaningfully incorporate accessibility, aligning with the literature that highlights gaps in corporate accountability, consumer trust and industry-wide implementation. This study concludes that accessible packaging is not only a legal and ethical responsibility but also a strategic business opportunity. By shifting from reactive compliance to proactive inclusion, CPG companies can improve consumer autonomy, reduce long-term costs, and unlock untapped market potential.