As tourism and hospitality marketing experts, we keep our finger firmly on the pulse of accessibility for travelers. In addition to physical accommodations made at your destination or on your property, we recommend ensuring your digital presence is accessible. Just as climbing stairs is impossible for someone reliant on a wheelchair, navigating the internet can be challenging for people with disabilities, ranging from vision and hearing to cognitive and physical impairments.
According to the CDC, slightly over a quarter of Americans live with some sort of disability. This means approximately 61 million people in the United States may not be able to experience the internet to its intended extent. By 2030, roughly 73 million residents will be over age 65 and need products, services and environments that meet their age-related physical needs.
Compliance? It’s Complicated.
In 2020 there were a record number of lawsuits filed in federal court. These cases typically claimed that websites were not accessible to people with disabilities. Which has marketers asking, “How do I know if my site is ADA-compliant?”
Savvy Solutions
Dana is here to help your brand become accessible to all guests and visitors. This effort protects your organization from non-compliance litigation. Plus, studies show that once people with disabilities discover a business where they can easily access amenities, they become repeat customers.
To start, here are some basic steps you can take with your website today:
- List your ease-of-use accessibility accommodations for people with disabilities on your property.
- Make certain all videos contain closed-captioning and still images incorporate alt-tags.
- Use high-contrast colors across your site.
- Design any forms with field labels and pre-loaded content.
- Predominantly display your accessibility icon on your home page.
People with disabilities are living independently, traveling and looking for places that can meet their needs. Dana can help you navigate the complexities of ADA website compliance, so these travelers choose to stay in your destination or property. Contact Lynn Kaniper today at 609.466.9187 ext. 117 or lkaniper@danacommunications.com to learn more.
