By Mira Van
Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available for use by as many people as possible. This concept covers many different disabilities and requirements that impact people’s ability to interact with technology systems, according to experts like accessiBe. Some laws state that companies must ensure all their products and services meet the accessibility needs of as many users as possible. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the UK’s Equality Act both exist to make sure that businesses take people’s specific requirements into account, which explains why it is so important for companies to ensure their services are accessible for all users.
By focusing on accessibility, businesses can provide an improved standard of service for everyone who uses their products, allowing them to widen their pool of potential customers.
How to make your business more accessible for people with disabilities
Content is key, especially when making products accessible for people with disabilities. By providing content that promotes your business, you will increase the number of potential customers interested in what you have to offer. You can share many different types of content to create awareness and hopefully interest among people with disabilities.
Tips for promoting your business as an accessible establishment
Businesses should ensure they have a website that is accessible to the disabled. Many people with disabilities use specialized software or equipment, so websites need to be compatible with them. In addition, businesses should also ensure their employees are up-to-date on their knowledge of accessibility and provide customers with information on the assistive technology they use and how it works.
What makes a business more accessible?
Many different aspects of an establishment can make it more accessible, such as knowing the appropriate assistive technologies you’ll need to provide for customers, offering your staff training on accessibility issues, and knowing which services must be provided to meet their needs.
How do I know if my business is accessible?
There are a number of tests that you can take to check how accessible your establishment is for people with disabilities, such as the Web Content Accessibility Test (WCAT) and the Online Accessibility Checker. If your website scores particularly low in these tests, you should try and make changes to improve your score, such as using more descriptive images and bringing down your font size.
What is the main benefit of making my business more accessible?
Many benefits come from ensuring your product or service is accessible for people with disabilities, such as improved customer satisfaction, increased sales, and improved company reputation.
How can my business use technology for accessibility?
Your business can use many different types of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and alternative keyboards. For example, some people with disabilities may find it difficult to move a mouse about on the screen, so that they might rely on voice command software instead. As well as this, your business should also consider utilizing data to learn more about how your customers interact with your website or other technological platforms.
