Digitally accessibility is needed now more than ever as we continue to see marketing trends shift towards digital communications for every demographic. If your organization is committed to accessibility and/or limiting your potential liabilities, you will need to create a digital accessibility policy.
What exactly is a digital accessibility policy? It is a statement that confirms your company has a fully inclusive digital footprint. This includes your website, PDF documents, webchats, mobile applications, invoices and more. While this might seem daunting, providing your clients, employees, and audience with proper accessibility is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. When you create a digital presence that is accessible to all, your company will be in compliance.
The good news is you don’t have to make this transition alone. The team at Top Jump Marketing is here to help you ensure your digital avenues are fully accessible. Call 419-359-5970 to learn more.
Step 1: Learn Digital Accessibility Basics
When you create your digital accessibility plan, you need to first understand what it means to be digitally accessible! Understanding what makes a website accessible and inaccessible will help you create a plan for your organization. Consider the following questions:
- What does the ADA require to be digitally accessible?
- For people with vision impairments, does color contrast play a role in accessibility?
- How does your content work alongside assistive technologies?
- Does your video content have auto-play options with captions?
If you haven’t had a chance to look at the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) yet, Top Jump Marketing highly suggests it. Once you truly understand what is required, you will have the basics down.
One thing that is important to note: your company can be held liable if you do not have an accessible online presence. Companies have been sued by people who have not been able to easily access their content. The good news is Top Jump Marketing can take your digitally accessibility needs and provide you with solutions you can count on.
Step 2: Define what your organization needs to be digitally accessible
Before you begin, your company should define what is expected for your digitally accessible policy. Consider everyone who utilizes your digital applications – employees, clients, online audience, anyone who might use your digital tools. Each of these people will need to have a full functionality for your digital presence.
It’s understandable if you don’t have all the answers. There’s no need to stress. You will not have to go through this process alone if you reach out to our team. Top Jump Marketing is here to help you understand what is required and help you implement it.
Step 3: Hire a team of developers with digital accessibility experience
When your website was created, you might not have known about digital accessibility, or had a team who could properly handle web content accessibility guidelines. The good news is you don’t have to start from scratch. Top Jump Marketing can help create digital accessible solutions that work alongside your current online presence. We will help you create a digital accessibility policy without having to reinvent the wheel.
Our team of developers will help implement a plan that builds on your existing content and transition your current digital presence to comply with WCAG and ADA requirements.
Step 4: Prepare Your Accessibility Statement
Having an accessibility statement is a declaration to your clients, employees, and vendors that you are committed to web accessibility. Having a clear, concise message that defines all the methods that you’ve used will help protect your company and provide your digital users with peace of mind. Don’t worry if this seems overwhelming, the Top Jump Marketing team can help you create your accessibility statement.
Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance for Digital Accessibility
Like all digital trends, accessibility will require your organization provide ongoing maintenance and accessibility checks. When you work with our team at Top Jump Marketing, you can rest assured that we will continue to stay up to date with your accessibility needs so your efforts do not lag and your company stays fully protected.
In Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is that your company is not alone. Our team members are here to help you create a digital accessibility policy that can be easily implemented. We will be by your side every step of the way.
If you’re ready to have your organization take the steps required to be digitally accessible, please call our team at 419-359-5970.
