25 Oct Improving Your WordPress Website’s Accessibility for Disabled Persons
At Life In Motion, we are committed to excellence in marketing and foresight and responsibility, particularly when it comes to serving diverse communities. We’ve identified a trend in digital marketing that warrants special attention: enhancing website accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Recent developments indicate a concerning pattern of predatory approaches by certain marketing agencies and non-profit organizations. These entities employ aggressive tactics, sometimes even leading to litigation, under the guise of advocating for accessibility as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Their primary argument suggests that the ADA requires comprehensive accessibility features on all websites, particularly for the visually and hearing-impaired.
Upon thorough review by our federal attorney, we’ve found the law to be less than straightforward. The ADA necessitates that businesses with physical locations employing more than 15 individuals ensure website compatibility. However, enforcement thus far has predominantly targeted national companies selling event tickets exclusively online, creating a necessity for accessible online transactions.
Given these nuances, we advise a proactive stance. Particularly for clients with brick-and-mortar operations, we recommend integrating an accessibility plugin into your website. This step is more than a legal safeguard; it’s a public demonstration of your commitment to the disabled community, ensuring inclusivity and accommodation. Furthermore, it positions your business at the forefront of compliance, ready to meet regulations even as they evolve and begin to necessitate such digital accommodations.
What is an accessibility plugin?
An accessibility plugin is a software tool that can help make your website more accessible to people with disabilities. These plugins can automatically add features such as screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and color contrast enhancements.
Why is an accessibility plugin important?
There are several reasons why an accessibility plugin is important. First, it can help you avoid ADA lawsuits. ADA lawsuits against websites are on the rise, and e-commerce websites are particularly vulnerable. In fact, 84% of ADA lawsuits against websites are filed against e-commerce businesses.
Second, an accessibility plugin can help you reach a wider audience. According to the CDC, 15-25% of the U.S. population lives with some type of disability. By making your website more accessible, you can ensure that everyone can use it.
Two accessibility WordPress plugin add-ons we like:
One Click Accessibility: This is a simple, affordable add-on. It adds basic accessibility features such as screen reader support and keyboard navigation.
AccessiBe: This is a more robust add-on and offers a wider range of accessibility features, including color contrast enhancements, video captioning, and automatic transcripts. However, it does cost a bit more. (But still, likely much cheaper than a law suit!)
Here are some examples of websites that use our accessibility add-ons:
• One Click Accessibility: Ability Life Solutions https://abilitylifesolutions.com/
• AccessiBe: Life In Motion Marketing https://lifeinmotion.com
We want to ensure you understand that these add-on plugins are optional. Still, we are more and more concerned with businesses potentially being targeted by individuals exploiting consumer’s lack of understanding of this rule. By taking action now, it can help mitigate legal risks and elevate your brand integrity and inclusivity. It reaffirms that your business doesn’t just meet standards but exceeds them, championing accessibility for all.
If you’re interested in learning more about our accessibility add-ons, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and help you choose the right solution for your needs.