The Digital Accessibility of Your Company

It is well known that the digital world has limitations, particularly for those with disabilities. Globally, one billion people are disabled. However, just 2% of websites adhere to accessibility guidelines. Millions of people continue to suffer as more information and services become available online. It’s a real treat to have instant access to cutting-edge technology. Others regard the circumstance as a nightmare.

According to the study, boosting digital accessibility might benefit marketing and sales personnel. Even if it is not required by law, it is ethically correct to do so. Sales leads and income may increase as more people have access to easy-to-read digital information. Furthermore, many customers are more likely to buy from companies that promote ethical behavior.

Marketing is typically responsible for a company’s website, external communications, and brand reputation. As a result, sales and marketing staff must have access to digital information. A difficulty arises when they are unsure of how to improve their digital accessibility systems. When this happens, having a team on your side, such as QualityLogic, is helpful.

Their experts will evaluate your current website to determine what changes are required. They will provide your entire business guidance and coaching on how to improve digital accessibility and generate better online content. Your firm will grow in more ways than one with their assistance.

What is the Importance of Digital Content Access?

The following are some ethical and legal grounds for incorporating technology and the notion of digital accessibility into website design:

• Fines and other penalties may be imposed for ADA violations. Assume a court finds a company’s website inaccessible to individuals with impairments. If this occurs, exemplary or other monetary penalties, as well as any necessary legal expenses, may be imposed to fix the issue.

• One billion people, which is approximately 15% of the world’s population, are blind or have poor vision. Client loss and inability to access critical services are only two of the adverse outcomes of inaccessible technology or websites.

• Digital accessibility benefits both those with and without disabilities. Most individuals will have no trouble navigating a website that has been designed with accessibility in mind.

Creating an excellent corporate culture may assist you in developing strong customer and employee connections. Despite the fact that corporations have recently begun to prioritize DEI activities and policies, there is still more work to be done.

What Effect Does Online Access Have on Your Business?

The goal of digital accessibility is to increase the accessibility of the internet to all users. Businesses that are more digitally inclusive may grow their reach and protect their brands’ reputations.

Prioritizing internet access is both socially and ethically correct. In the United States, over 61 million people have visual, hearing, or learning disabilities. This emphasizes the need for many clients to have access to or comprehend multiple websites, marketing, and social media activity.

Legally, accessibility is also necessary. The number of judicial issues involving web accessibility has increased dramatically in recent years. Hundreds of these difficulties develop in the United States alone each year. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all businesses to create and maintain websites that are accessible and usable to people with disabilities.

It is also critical to comprehend how stressing accessibility influences the brand’s reputation. One of the most important tasks for marketing and sales professionals is to build and maintain a brand’s reputation.

Businesses are acknowledged for their outstanding commitment to accessibility and corporate social responsibility. Sixty-two percent of customers prefer to purchase from businesses that support charitable causes. 56% of customers are willing to pay a greater premium for a product or service from a reputable company that adheres to societal standards.

Businesses must now make donations to causes that they believe in and support. Many firms in highly competitive industries have discovered that proclaiming a commitment to inclusion has a significant influence. “Aesthetics” are not a reason to choose digital accessibility. It would be beneficial if you attempted to transition since it is the correct thing to do.

Making Your Company More Digitally Available

Improving your company’s internet accessibility is a never-ending process, but it doesn’t have to be tough to get started.

Begin By Conducting Some Research

Recognize the challenge that your clients face. Consider yourself one of your customers. It is critical to acknowledge exclusion and its consequences. Learn about difficult users and the difficulties they face as a result. Make an attempt to contact these users. Inquire about the material’s difficulty and accessibility.

Ensure You Have Internal Support

To increase digital accessibility, you must do more than fix a few bugs on your website. The whole organization must be altered. Form an interdepartmental committee to ensure that accessibility is a top concern. The team may comprise professionals in content, design, sales, and development.

A diverse team can devise strategies such as:

• Regular accessibility assessments are carried out, and any defects are corrected as soon as possible.
• The text is straightforward, without jargon.
• All design and decision-making are exclusively the user’s responsibility.
• Accessibility is a major factor while developing new activities.
• Determine and prioritize your top priorities.

Create a plan for achieving your objectives. First and foremost, acknowledge that accessibility is an ongoing effort. This plan should be supported by your marketing and sales teams, and it should be valued at all levels of the organization.

Legislation Regarding Digital Access

Despite the fact that the Act has yet to be amended to reflect this, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains that the ADA encompasses digital accessibility.

Other constraints might be assessed using digital availability. In accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all government agencies must make every effort to offer information in a manner that is accessible to people with disabilities. We must guarantee that persons with disabilities have access to alternate resources if they are unable to use the data and information offered by these platforms. Everyone, regardless of disability, should have equal access.

The Communications Act of 1934 was changed by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CCVA), which incorporated additional provisions to make current technology accessible to individuals with disabilities. Title II of the law establishes accessibility standards for TVs, television services, television programs, and internet video streaming, whereas Title I establishes standards for “advanced” communication technologies.

The European Union (EU) now has its own law, owing to the adoption of Directive 2016/2102 in 2016, which standardized accessibility regulations throughout the EU. A directive is a type of European Union law that defines a specific objective.

Summary

It is a significant challenge to adapt your processes and procedures to digital accessibility. It is vital to collaborate with a team of subject matter experts. QualityLogic can understand your needs and securely deliver you to your destination. For additional information, please visit www.qualitylogic.com and get your starter kit.