Your Company’s Digital Accessibility
It is well acknowledged that the digital world has restrictions, especially for persons with impairments. One billion individuals are handicapped worldwide. However, just 2% of websites follow accessibility rules. Millions of individuals continue to suffer as more information and services become available online. It is a true pleasure to have rapid access to cutting-edge technologies. Others consider the scenario to be a nightmare.
According to the research, increasing digital accessibility might greatly assist marketing and sales professionals. Even though it is not required by law, doing so is ethically correct. As more individuals have access to easy-to-read digital information, sales leads and income may improve. Furthermore, many customers are more likely to purchase from businesses encourage ethical behavior.
Marketing is frequently in charge of the company’s website, external communications, and brand reputation. As a result, sales and marketing personnel must have digital information access. When they are unaware of how to enhance their digital accessibility systems, a problem occurs. Having a team on your side, like QualityLogic, is advantageous when this happens.
Their professionals will assess your present website to determine what adjustments are necessary. They will provide advice and coaching to your entire organization on how to increase digital accessibility and develop better online content. With their help, your company will develop in more ways than one.
What is the Importance of Access to Digital Content?
The following are some ethical and legal reasons why technology and the concept of digital accessibility should be integrated into website design.
For ADA infractions, fines and other penalties may be applied. Assume a court rules that a company’s website is inaccessible to people with disabilities. If this occurs, it may be required to pay a fine or other monetary penalties, as well as any necessary legal fees, to correct the situation.
One billion people, or 15% of the global population, are blind or have impaired eyesight. Potential client loss and inability to access key services are only two of the negative consequences of inaccessible technologies or websites.
Individuals with and without impairments gain from digital accessibility. Most people will have no issue finding their way through a website that has been developed with accessibility in mind.
Fostering a pleasant company culture may help you build solid customer and staff relationships. Despite the fact that businesses have lately begun to emphasize DEI activities and policies, much work still needs to be done.
What Impact Does Easy Online Access Have on Your Company?
The purpose of digital accessibility is to make the internet more accessible to all users. Businesses that are more digitally inclusive may expand their reach and safeguard the reputations of their brands.
It is both socially and ethically right to prioritize internet access. Around 61 million individuals in the United States suffer from visual, hearing, or learning problems. This highlights the requirement for numerous clients to have access to or understand multiple websites, marketing, and social media activities.
Accessibility is also required legally. In recent years, the number of legal cases addressing web accessibility has skyrocketed. Each year, hundreds of these issues arise in the United States alone. Indeed, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates all companies to design and maintain websites that are accessible and useable to individuals with disabilities.
It’s also important to understand how emphasizing accessibility affects the brand’s reputation. Building and maintaining a brand’s reputation is one of the most critical duties for marketing and sales professionals.
Businesses that show a strong commitment to accessibility and corporate social responsibility are recognized. Sixty-two percent of customers prefer to buy from companies that support worthy causes. 56% of customers are prepared to pay a higher price for a product or service from a renowned firm for respecting social ideals.
Businesses must now donate to causes they believe in and support. In highly competitive sectors, many organizations have learned that expressing a commitment to inclusivity makes a major impact. “Appearance” is not a reason to favor digital accessibility. It would be advantageous if you tried to transition since it is the right thing to do.
Making Your Business More Digitally Accessible
Improving your company’s internet accessibility is a never-ending effort, but getting started doesn’t have to be difficult.
Begin by Doing Some Research
Recognize the difficulty. Consider yourself to be one of your clients. It is vital to recognize exclusion and its repercussions. Learn about challenging users and the challenges they encounter as a result. Make an attempt to reach out to these users. Inquire about the complexity and accessibility of the material.
Make Certain You Have Internal Support
You must do more than repair a few issues on your website to improve digital accessibility. The organization as a whole must be changed. Create an interdepartmental team to ensure that accessibility is a key priority. Content, design, sales, and development experts may be included on the team.
A diverse team can develop approaches such as:
- Regular accessibility audits are performed, and any flaws are addressed as quickly as feasible.
- The writing is plain, simple, and devoid of jargon.
- The user is solely responsible for all design and decision-making.
- When creating new activities, accessibility is a top consideration.
- Determine and prioritize your most pressing issues.
Make a strategy for reaching your goals. First and foremost, recognize that accessibility is a continuous process. This strategy should be backed by your marketing and sales teams and should be appreciated at all levels of the business.
Digital Access Legislation
Despite the fact that the statute has not yet been modified to reflect this, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to assert that the ADA covers digital accessibility.
Digital availability could be used to assess other restrictions. In line with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all government bodies must make an attempt to ensure that information is provided in a way that is accessible to those with disabilities. If people with disabilities are unable to utilize the data and information provided by these platforms, we must ensure that they have access to alternative resources. Everyone, with or without disabilities, should have equal access.
The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CCVA), which revised the Communications Act of 1934, added new provisions to make modern technologies accessible to people with impairments. Title II of the legislation specifies accessibility criteria for televisions, television services, television programs, and internet video streaming, whereas Title I specifies requirements for “advanced” kinds of communication technology.
The European Union (EU) now has its own regulation, thanks to the approval of Directive 2016/2102 in 2016, which harmonized accessibility rules across the EU. A directive is a form of European Union law that specifies a purpose.
Summary
Adapting your processes and procedures to digital accessibility is a huge task. It is critical to work with a group of subject matter experts. QualityLogic can comprehend your requirements and safely get you to your goal. Please visit www.qualitylogic.com for more details.
