Online information increases confidence with everyone, though people with access needs often need it to plan their trips in advance. Providing access information is a great way to welcome your guests and make them feel valued.
Accessible online information a top enabler of accessibility (Access 2020 Survey), so we’ve put together our list of tips to help you communicate your accessibility information in order to better serve the 1 in 4 customers with disabilities or access needs.
By providing accessibility information on your website, disabled and access customers can plan their trips and navigate your website with ease. What's more, you'll create more trust and generate loyalty amongst all consumers.
People with disabilities are a huge demographic that businesses can’t afford to ignore. 1 in 4 New Zealanders live with a disability – and this doesn’t even include our aging population who have the highest discretionary spend of any age group.
If your goods are available online, your market reach expands to the 1.85 billion disabled people globally. And it’s estimated that people with disabilities have a further 3.3 billion whānau who act on their emotional connection to people with disabilities. Together, this group controls $13 trillion in annual disposable income. Showing that you are an accessible business goes further than providing people the information they need to enter your establishment, it increases trust and brand loyalty among all consumers.
The purpose of an accessibility page is to provide your guests with the information needed to navigate your business – this has typically meant the physical environment, but as business becomes more digital it also encompasses the digital landscape such as your website, point of sales system and contact methods.
It’s equally important to ensure this information is accessible. It should be easy to find on your website, such as in the navigation menu, in your footer, or on a ‘plan your trip’ page.
An accessibility statement is a concise, values-driven declaration of your commitment to accessibility, and an outline of the steps you are taking to achieve this. It's a powerful way to preface the information on your accessibility page and showcase your values. If you want more information about how to communicate your commitment to accessibility, learn more in our blog.
If you have a physical location, it’s important to provide access information, including information about accessible parking, accessible entrances, and where the drop off zone is located. Let people know where reception is- people can go if they get lost. Outlining what facilities are on offer and where they’re located is also really important so people know what they can and can’t access at your building e.g. toilets, lifts, meeting rooms, café, etc. This information is even better when accompanied by photos or videos.
If you have multiple venues, our friends at Auckland Live have a great example of an accessibility page for a business with many sites.
Customer experience begins with your website. Share your accessibility features, such as stating that your videos are transcribed, or that you add alt text to images. We have some tips for making your website or app more accessible here.
Provide people with a means of contact for their queries and feedback – it’s helpful to have a few different methods of contact available. You can encourage people inform you of issues they come across, or suggestions they have. This is a great way to show your genuine interest in accessibility and to know your efforts are meaningful.
Unsure of your accessibility features? We can conduct an accessibility assessment of your business, including areas such as physical environment, website, and communications. If you have many premises, we can come up with a bespoke and cost-efficient solution.
And we can also provide support to ensure your accessibility page is as relevant and accurate as possible. Get in touch with us to learn more today!