Give every user the tools they need to become your customer
If you aren’t meeting website accessibility guidelines, then you’re immediately putting up a barrier between you and some of your customers. You’re also putting yourself at risk. Over 57 million Americans are disabled, and the disability market has over $544 billion in disposable spending power. Missing these customers hurts your business, and it hurts society as a whole. It’s also against the law and leaves your business susceptible to expensive discrimination lawsuits. The only solution that protects your company and serves your customers is website accessibility.
Who Needs Accessibility
E-commerce, banking, dining, medical, and hospitality are currently the most targeted markets for accessibility lawsuits. But that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones who need accessibility. Every website benefits from accessibility. More importantly, every individual benefits when your website is accessible. You need website accessibility if:
- You accept job applications online (Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities)
- You sell goods on your website
- Your site is in the government, education, medical, banking, restaurant, or other public accommodation industry
- You want to reach all your potential customers
Understand the Law
Title III of the “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA requires websites and apps be accessible to disabled persons and compatible with common assistive technologies such as JAWS, a screen reader. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1 AA) provides the foundation from which most sites are audited and adjudicated. The vast majority of websites are not compliant, leaving them open to litigation that could cost them millions. With thousands of accessibility cases already on the books, the odds of you being served are growing every day.
Our Approach to Accessibility
Accessibility can’t be accomplished through automated tools. It’s also not a one-time thing. According to the federal government, “Manual testing is always necessary.” Automated scanning tools miss more than half of real accessibility issues and also return false positives that cost your business valuable time and money. That’s why we’ve partnered with live accessibility auditors who test using disabled individuals and assistive technologies. These reports are incredibly detailed and give our developers the blueprint to accessibility compliance for your website.
Our Accessible Design Services
We’re an early adopter in deploying WCAG 2.1 AA standards in the digital space, and we’re one of the only companies in Minneapolis and Minnesota providing this essential service. We employ design, development, and support staff who are educated and experienced with the requirements of WCAG 2.1 AA and the correct process for compliance. Along with our accessibility partner, we provide:
- Initial Live-User Audits
- Remediation Expertise & Training
- Ongoing Digital Accessibility Support
- Ongoing Live-User Monitoring
- Subject Matter Expertise & Consulting
Accessibility isn’t a quick or one-time fix. It’s an ongoing requirement that ensures your site is compliant and usable for every visitor.
Are you ready to make your website accessible so you can reach every customer? Contact us today to get started.