In our increasingly digital world, accessibility isn’t just a good idea – it’s a necessity. Ensuring that your website is accessible means making sure that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate and use it effectively. This isn’t just about compliance with regulations; it’s about embracing inclusivity and providing equal access to information and services.
Consider the various users who visit websites daily: people with visual impairments who rely on screen readers, individuals with mobility impairments who use alternative input devices, and those with cognitive disabilities who benefit from simplified navigation. According to U.S. Census Bureau data (2021), there are about 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, making up 13% of the population*. Don’t you want everyone to have access to your website?
At OtherWisz, we reviewed our own website to see if it was truly accessible. Despite using the best design standards regarding ADA compliancy, we felt we could do better. So we decided to take it a step further and upgraded our website to be compliant; it is now among the 3% of inclusive and accessible websites globally.
We’ve since partnered with a leading web accessibility software technology company to provide these services to our clients.
Here is how it works: OtherWisz installs software on your website which provides an accessibility widget that sits discreetly in the corner of your website and is easily accessible by any visitor to your website.
The pop-up control panel includes:
- Screen-reader optimization
- Keyboard navigation optimization
- Epilepsy safe profile
- Vision impaired profile
- Cognitive disability profile
- ADHD friendly profile
- Keyboard navigation profile (motor-impaired)
The software can be installed on most website platforms, whether a known brand or a custom-made site, without redesigning your website or changing hosting. It continuously fixes inaccessible code on your website by scanning your site every 24 hours, ensuring that your website is always compliant.
Your visitors can make additional user interface, design, and readability adjustments to modify your website’s design and content on their device as needed, including:
- Font adjustments
- Color adjustments
- Content highlighting
- Audio muting
- Cognitive disorders
Beyond moral reasons, there are legal obligations for businesses and organizations to make their websites accessible. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States require that digital content be accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply can risk legal repercussions, so the software includes an Accessibility Statement with Compliancy Status available right from the widget on your website. The software company also offers litigation support if potentially needed.
There are other benefits as well. Accessible websites tend to perform better in search engine rankings. Search engines like Google prioritize user-friendly sites that are accessible to a wider audience. By optimizing for accessibility, your business can increase its online visibility to reach more potential customers. As a final advantage, your business may be eligible for the ADA Tax Credit**, reducing your overall cost on being compliant. Win-win!
Ready to make your website accessible?
Investing now ensures that your website remains relevant and compliant as these standards continue to develop. It also lets the world know that your brand embraces inclusivity, appealing to a broader demographic.
Contact OtherWisz today to learn how we can help your current website become more accessible and ADA compliant. This service is a a yearly subscription.
*“8 Facts About Americans with Disabilities” by Rebecca Leppert and Katherine Schaeffer, from the Pew Research Center website, July 4, 2023.
**Available to small business that meet ADA requirements and IRS 8826 Disabled Access Credit.
