Digital accessibility is the usability a website, app or other digital experience is by all possible users, regardless of their ability or disability. Accessibility in the digital marketing world has become increasingly popular as brands strive to build more inclusiveness into their communications efforts. So why exactly is accessibility so important? And what are some tips to ensure your digital properties are fully optimized to reach any and all audiences? Before we dive into some accessibility best practices, let’s explore accessibility in broader terms.
What is a Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility is the process of making digital products, such as websites, mobile apps, and other online tools, accessible to everyone. It is about ensuring all users can access the same information, regardless of the impairments they may have. It ensures all of your online properties are optimized for people with disabilities and/or impairments. In an ideal world, this is something every organization should be doing.
Why is Digital Accessibility Important?
Did you know that over 1 billion people in the world have an impairment that affects their ability to use the web? That’s a pretty big number, but it can be easy to overlook what that number actually means. So here’s the deal; that number signifies billions of people who may be unable to shop for food or communicate with friends online. It represents people who can’t easily find local restaurants or book a cinema ticket in advance. Without an accessible web page, your site is preventing some people from enjoying the same internet-based benefits as the rest of us. This is why you need to set your accessibility standards higher.
Enhance your Business’s Digital Accessibility
Start by doing your research. Try to understand the problem before trying to solve the problem. It is important to recognize exclusion and its impact. Educate yourself on users who may face challenges and what issues they experience online as a result. Try to speak to these users if possible. Ask them where the barriers on your website lie and how easy they find it to consume your content.
Second, ensure you have internal support. Improving digital accessibility is about more than fixing a few errors on your website. Consider developing a cross-departmental team to ensure accessibility is always looked after.
Lastly, create a plan. Recognize that accessibility is not a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing process that should be built into the heart of your marketing and sales teams.
