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Written By: Brandalin Foster
If you have a website, this email is for you.
Most of us know that businesses are required to reasonably accommodate people with disabilities. Accessible parking spaces come to mind, but did you know this also applies to your website? Don’t worry – making your site accessible and compliant can take less than 10 mins of your time. We’re taking a look at why accessibility should be at the top of your priority list and how to achieve it:
Federal ComplianceThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects people with disabilities. It requires that organizations make their websites readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities if it is for use by the public. In 2022, the number of U.S. digital accessibility lawsuits filed in federal court under the ADA rose to over 3,200 cases. As the web-related litigation space rapidly grows, making sure your website is accessible mitigates your legal risk. Brand ImageHaving a great and highly usable website can significantly impact your brand’s perception among people with disabilities and allies. An accessible website also tends to have better search engine rankings, resulting in higher traffic and improved online visibility. The Disabled Access Tax CreditInvesting in web accessibility and complying with the ADA may entitle you to a tax credit! According to Section 44 of the IRS Code, the credit is available to businesses with an accessible, compliant website with a total revenue of $1M or less in the previous tax year or 30 or fewer full-time employees. For more information, visit the IRS Tax Credits and Deductions page on the Americans with Disabilities Act website. The Future Is For EveryoneCommunicating with people with disabilities as effectively as you communicate with others isn’t just good business and the law – it’s a great thing to do. Making your materials accessible and inclusive is about leveling the playing field for everyone. It’s Easier Than You Think (No, Really)Updating your website to be accessible and compliant can sound like a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. No need to redesign your website or rewrite your content.
A qualified agency, like Wiser Strategies, can set your business up with a license for a top web accessibility solution and manage integration of the technology.This technology makes websites accessible to people with disabilities, makes them compliant with accessibility legislation, including ADA and WCAG, and makes websites able to accurately interact with assistive technologies, such screen readers and keyboard-only navigation tools. It also provides all website visitors with access to an accessibility widget. The widget appears as an icon that allows users to customize their view with settings such as “seizure safe” and an enlarged text option.
In conclusion, providing an inclusive user experience for ALL members of your audience and ensuring your business is ADA compliant is as important as ever and can take you as little as 10 minutes. If you have questions or if you’d like to update your website to be accessible, we’re here to help. Sincerely,The Wiser Strategies Team
We create and execute custom communication strategies that inform, engage and motivate.
