Accessibility Page
Bianca Prins, CPACC
Global Head of Accessibility @ ING, InCluencer, trailblazer, a11y rockstar & Special Advisor @ Billion Strong
People are quite accustomed to publicly complain about accessibility issues encountered. Even I catch myself at times, complaining on Social Media about accessibility issues, because your bucket runs over at times. There is a good solution, these are called accessibility pages, sharing information and even including direct channels to share your accessibility complaint with the business you run into accessibility barriers.
What is important to add?
What are the must haves on an accessibility page, looking at my experience both as accessibility expert and user with a disability running into issues, I created the following list of key essentials:
These seem quite simple, and it should be simple. Because an overcrowded text page explaining about accessibility makes it hard to find information and this will increase the urge to share a complaint on social media instead with your team responsible for the solutions.
As many disabilities, as many requirements
The 2nd point on my list also brings the discussion about the various disabilities people have. Equally, I do not recommend referring to the disabilities. Instead to the accessibility requirements provided. Because some people might use solutions not standardly fitting a disabilities group accessibility strategy.
The list of options could look like this:
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With these you can directly connect to specific user strategies, approaches for the various groups. Aging is an optional addition, which I think is important to label separately given that elderly often struggle with adjusting to losing sight, hearing, cognitive and physical functions. It is important to recognize this and link specific solutions to improving the customer experience of aging customers. You can even include information about digital training, and specific channels supporting aging people in the digital environment.
Findability
You can make a great website, but people still need to know where to find this site. That is where at first communication comes in, as they manage the webpages and can place your accessibility page in clear site only a few clicks away from the main menu. Communication also manage the social media teams where the majority of first complaints come in. With a kind referral to additional information and a point of contact on the page. A huge difference can be made with the disability community.
Secondly it is up to all of us because we are all accessibility ambassadors for the organizations employing us. If there isn’t a (local) accessibility page yet, call for action to create one. If there is one, actively share the page in your network when you encounter accessibility issues. Because only then, people really know what you and your colleagues are doing for accessibility! ?
Finally, if you think your business efforts are to small to publish a page, than think twice because even the small things count for your customers. Especially the importance of being heard, providing a channel to send in issues/complaints encountered by your customers.
This is how we can all make accessibility happen!
Accessibility is the fast evolving business role to include people?with a disability in business. With LinkedIn #TheIncluencer articles Bianca is sharing insights on accessibility business opportunities, challenges and struggles towards a sustainable and disability inclusive world for all!