Making sure your website is accessible benefits your company’s visibility. According to the World Health Organization and the United Nations, the largest minority in the world is made up of one billion people who experience some type of disability.
Within a world that is looking for ways to be diverse, equitable and inclusive, the question we ask ourselves is: “what can I do to transform the reality of this very vulnerable group?” Considering this, the truth is that you do not require large plans or investments to become an agent of change. As Google itself tells us, “think about the user and the rest will follow.”
Without a doubt, offering a user experience in which everyone can experiment is the key to achieving change. In that sense, usability and accessibility must go hand in hand.
However, two out of three e-commerce sites are still not accessible today, despite the fact that 82% of consumers would be willing to pay more money to obtain the same products or service from a competitor whose website was accessible. It is a scenario where digitalization knows no borders, where brands also have a great opportunity to change the lives of billions of people by implementing small actions on their website.
How to make an accessible website?
To design inclusively we must look at people with differences (racial, cultural, ability or sexual) and then design products for their experiences. When we solve for the most excluded groups, we often develop solutions that are better for everyone.
Therefore, the great challenge for brands is to ensure that accessibility is understood as a strategic objective. In no way can it be seen as a complement to human resources or as a good action that operates in isolation.
You must analyze the settings necessary for a site to be accessible. It is clear that not moving forward with them is more a matter of decision than of innovation or technological requirements. The great challenge, without a doubt, is to make it happen.
In this way, the way to achieve this is to offer true solutions so that everyone can access your website. In the disability community, it is commonly said “nothing about us without us.” It is certainly a sentiment that sums up what disability inclusion means.
The types of barriers that people with disabilities face in society vary depending on who they are, where they live, and what resources they have access to. Eve Andersson, Director of Accessibility at Google, highlights that “it is essential to include a wide range of people with disabilities at every stage of the development process for any of our accessibility products, initiatives or programs.” Remember that you also have the accessibility guides and resources from Google.
The commitment to accessibility is a game of utmost importance today. By doing so, your brand will become a brand with purpose. Not only will you increase your strength and presence, but you will gain loyalty and word-of-mouth recommendations. Without a doubt, all of this will result in better business results and a concrete contribution to transforming the society in which you operate.
Also, did you know that you can now indicate on Google My Business if your establishment is accessible? When you do this, Google Maps will highlight it on your consumer’s map with a wheelchair icon next to your establishment’s name. This will ensure that the user experience you offer is agile across all your channels.
