Website/ADA Accessibility: View It As A Great Opportunity To Expand Your Market, And Not As An Inconvenience!

First, are you aware of the fact that the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 applies to websites? Many business owners and managers are shocked to realize this. These individuals are even more shocked when I explain that they can be held civilly liable for failing to comply with the Act. But, it’s all true.

And, while most business owners and managers see ADA compliance as a major inconvenience, implementing these regulations, begrudgingly I might add, only to avoid the threat of lawsuits. I see the issue of website accessibility as a great opportunity---- not only to reach out to an “underserved” segment of our community (as a PR matter); but also, to expand your markets in a way that makes good economic sense, regardless of the motivation.  

And what are we really talking about when we say that a website is ADA accessible? It means that the website is designed in such a way as to make it “easy” for individuals with disabilities to visit the site, and to enjoy whatever special features are displayed on the site. 

For example, an ADA accessible site is designed to assist disabled persons in:

• Navigating the site;
• Reading the text on the site;
• Transacting business; and
• Otherwise doing anything that is essential to experiencing the features of the website.

Moreover, according to the Center for Disease Control ("CDC"), 61 million Americans (or 25% of the population) report having some sort of disability; with 13.7% having some sort of mobility disability (i.e. serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs); 6.8% having a difficulty doing errands along; and 4.6% having a vision disability.

Think about it from the standpoint of restaurant owners and managers--- for example. Could there be a more reliable source of food delivery customers than individuals with disabilities?  I think not.  Also, consider the fact that approximately 40% of restaurants do not have dedicated websites at all; and of those that do, only approximately 15% are handicap accessible.  It would stand to figure that restaurants with ADA compliant websites would have a “built-in” advantage---- over all the other non-complaint restaurants (and businesses) in the area--- when dealing with disabled individuals in the market in question.

Therefore, if you are a business owner who serves the public (i.e. restaurants, in particular), my advice to you is very simple. If you’re looking to increase your customer base, ADA accessibility is one of the first places to look. Moreover, if you are looking to make your website ADA accessible, my company (www.e-copywritersplus.com/) offers a service to make your “existing” web presence ADA compliant---- at minimal cost and inconvenience (which means less “down time”).  

If you are interested in discussing this matter further, please hit me back via DM or email at [email protected].