More than half of the population in the United States has some form of disability, and they are more prevalent in every age group. A disability could be physical, mental, or perceived. Many people think that accessibility is just for disabled people and that a lack of accessibility is better than it being open and inclusive.
However, not all experiences need to be equal. There are many ways to approach accessibility that take into account different needs such as those with cognitive disabilities or who have sensory issues. Here are some tips for marketers who want to create accessible products.
What is accessibility?
Accessibility is the process of designing a product, website, or service so that it can be used by people with disabilities. It is also the process of making something work for everyone who comes in contact with it.
Accessibility exists at three main levels: physical, cognitive, and sensory.
Physical accessibility refers to things like the size of a product, how easy it is to use and manipulate, whether you need help using a product, or even if there are enough products on offer according to your needs. Cognitive accessibility means taking into account how someone learns best and ensuring that your product’s design makes sense for them. Finally, sensory accessibility ensures that people feel safe while they’re interacting with your products.
Who is an accessible person?
An accessible person is someone who has a disability and can perform the tasks associated with their disability.
For example, if someone has a cognitive disability such as Alzheimer’s or dementia and can no longer read, they are not an accessible person.
When creating products, you should be aware of how your product will work for different disabilities and not just focus on what you may think the majority of people need. For example, if you are creating a website for parents to find childcare providers in their area, you might assume that most parents would use it just like everyone else. However, if a parent is blind and cannot see the pictures of the providers or other content on your site, they would be unable to use it. If your website offers a text-to-voice option for those who cannot see images or do not have access to audio devices, then this could also be helpful for this particular type of user.
Marketing is about creating experiences that help people accomplish what they need to do in life. Designing products that are accessible helps create more inclusive environments where all people can succeed regardless of ability level.
What are the benefits of accessibility?
There are many benefits of creating accessible products, such as increased customer loyalty. People who have disabilities often prefer to buy from companies that are more accommodating to them. This is because they typically feel more welcomed and treated with respect. Additionally, research has shown that accessibility can lead to higher conversion rates and increased conversion rates on ecommerce sites leads to higher revenue than traditional methods of marketing.
To be clear, there is no one-size-fits-all for what makes a product accessible. Many companies have their own unique designs for accessibility and some succeed better than others in different niches. But all things considered, accessibility is a beneficial feature in any company’s portfolio.
Different types of disabilities
There are many different types of disabilities, so it is important to make sure that your product or service is accessible to all. Here are some common types of disabilities and their symptoms:
Cognitive disability – This is a type of disability that affects the mind. These include those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, and mental illness.
Physical disability – This is when someone has some form of physical limitation or impairment that limits their ability to do certain activities.
Sensory disability – Some people have sensory issues such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, or difficulty processing language.
Sensory overload – This is an issue with sensory information such as graphics. Audio, and text are too much for someone’s brain to process.
Cognitive accessibility – This refers to cognitive accessibility such as those with memory loss. Or learning disabilities not having trouble understanding the material in a website or app.
For more information on how marketers can create accessible products and services, please visit www.accessibilitymatters.com
Focus on experiences for people with disabilities
The first step is to focus on conversations with people with disabilities and listen to their feedback. Ask them what they think about your product and how it can be improved. When you are listening, make sure that you are not just hearing words, but that you are also seeing facial expressions, body language, and context. By focusing on the experience of people with disabilities rather than the target audience, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done to improve your product.
For example, if someone has cognitive disabilities or sensory issues such as sensitivity to bright lights or noise, don’t use colors like red and blue in your design because they may get overwhelmed. Instead, use colors like green and brown that are less stimulating—they won’t feel overwhelmed by colors that may have been used in other products before theirs.
On the other hand, if someone is blind or has low vision and cannot see color well, use more contrast in your design so it’s easier for them to see what’s going on. You can also use animations or text labels to help visitors figure out what’s happening on your website faster.
Tips for marketers.
- Be mindful of your language
The most common form of accessibility is through language. You should be aware of what words you use and how they might affect people. For example, Get Pro Writer if you are designing a website, you should avoid using complicated technical terms or words that may cause confusion for the user. Instead, use simple terminology that is easy to understand and recognize.
- Make sure the site can be navigate with screen reader software
Just because the site looks fantastic doesn’t mean it’s accessible by those who are visually impaire. This includes all users from those who can’t see colors properly to those with motor-related disabilities such as Parkinson’s disease or muscular dystrophy who have tremors in their hands and arms. If you want your site to be open, make sure it’s compliant with standards like WCAG 2.0. This ensures your site is accessible for all types of users with different needs and abilities. Including people with cognitive disabilities or those with sensory issues like color blindness or migraines that require certain colors and backgrounds to be avoided (e.g., red).
