What Does Content Accessibility Entail?

Content accessibility, or WCAG, is the process of ensuring your digital content is available and usable for as many people as possible. That's one of the best ways to put it. Digital content can take the form of websites, apps, portals for purchases, etc. In most cases, accessibility involves adding “accessible” features to your content. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to creating accessible digital content. Each person with a disability is likely to require different accessibility features. Fortunately, you don’t need to know exactly what each person needs. The best way to create accessible digital website content is to go off of general rules of thumb. A few of them will be things such as;

• Providing multiple comprehension options on your web page such as text-to-voice
• Using plain language
• Using headings where necessary to break up content

Think About It Like This as Well

When you think about accessibility and the web, you probably imagine people with visual or other disabilities. However, while this is the main segment of users who need special assistance when browsing content on the Internet, it is still only one.

Keep in mind, 88% of people that use a website once, more than likely won’t go back to that site if their user experience wasn’t good and that could even include your current and prospective patients if you have a website or use telehealth services.

Why Are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Important?

Digital content that doesn’t conform with WCAG 2.1 A or that remains inaccessible to individuals with disabilities creates a barrier to patient education, consistent communication, and in some ways, social participation. It also has a negative effect on businesses and organizations that rely on digital content in their daily operations. By ensuring your digital content remains accessible to people with disabilities, you’ll increase your potential client base and avoid costly penalties or lawsuits.

If you weren't already aware, not modifying your content to be accessible to those with disabilities could result in legal action. To be very specific, any person with a disability has the right to take legal action against businesses that don't offer fully accessible digital content. In 2020 alone at least 265,000 lawsuits as well as inquiries demanding content modification were reported. 

The main thing is, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires organizations to make reasonable efforts to accommodate people with disabilities. This includes, online.  It's best to comply with all web content accessibility guidelines to ensure you don't encounter financial or legal issues that could damage your facility's reputation or financial well-being.

The More Accessible, the Larger Your Potential Client Pool

When speaking on average, on any given homepage, at least 61 errors are present and while the accessible content "rule" isn't always enforced, it wouldn't be in any business’s best interest to tempt it. How do you remain compliant? The best thing that practice managers and content creators can do is to follow along with the Bureau of Internet Accessibility.

The BIA recommends doing things like:

• Using closed-captioning to assist the deaf
• Audio options to assist the blind

As a general rule, your website should always be 100% easily-accessible to anyone with disabilities. The more accessible your site is, the more people you can reach.

Custom Social Media Solutions for Your Business

Web content accessibility guidelines can be difficult to navigate but with Curated Virtual Solutions, it doesn’t have to be. One fix that shouldn’t be overlooked is how you use social media in your practice. Social media marketing helps to enhance virtual care efforts, streamline the way you communicate with patients, and increase their participation in their care plans. 

To have your content prepared the right way, the first time and to take advantage of social media tactics for your practice, reach out to us to get started.