The use of the internet and business websites for a variety of business and leisure activities is now very widespread amongst first world economies and this includes 20% of the population who are elderly or have some form of disability. 

Some people with disabilities find using the internet difficult and we also know that many web sites do not accommodate people with visual or other disabilities. It is important that all business website owners strive to make their websites as accessible as possible.  If not, you may  be in breach of the UK Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Similar legislation exists in other countries including the US, Canada and Australia.

Web accessibility should be part of your Digital Internet Marketing plan and is about making your website accessible to all Internet users (both disabled and non-disabled), regardless of what browsing technology they’re using. In addition to complying with the law, an accessible website can reap huge benefits for business by increasing the traffic to the site and enhancing the site’s reputation.

An accessible website ensures that all visitors have the same user experience whether they use assistive technology or not. As a minimum, websites should meet the level 1 (and in part level 2) of the W3C’s (Web Accessibility Initiative) standards and guidelines for creating accessible websites.

There are two very good reasons why businesses should start taking these issues seriously, simply put:

• An accessible website will make you more money
• An accessible website will save you money

For advice on web accessibility issues, contact Anthony Burke here to discuss this issue or any aspect of digital internet marketing.  Anthony runs his own business which is associated with WSI to provide companies with affordable digital internet marketing solutions to enable profitable growth and increase marketing ROI.  He is also a member of the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT, and a registered Prince2 Practitioner.