The accessiBe Objective: An Internet for All
Imagine a world where the internet is a space that everyone can navigate with ease, where barriers to information and communication are a thing of the past. This is the vision that drives accessiBe. They are committed to making the internet an accessible and inclusive space, a place where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully. It’s a world where digital content, from news articles to social media posts, from online shopping to video streaming, is readily available to all.
This vision is not just a lofty ideal; it’s a mission that they are actively pursuing every day. It’s a commitment that shapes their approach to product development, customer service, and community engagement. They understand that achieving this vision requires more than just technical solutions; it requires a change in mindset, a shift in how we think about and approach accessibility.
At accessiBe, they support the notion that accessibility is not a privilege, but a right. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access information, to communicate, and to participate in the digital world, and are dedicated to making this belief a reality, one website at a time.
A Closer Look at the accessiBe Ecosystem: A Spectrum of Web Accessibility Solutions
accessiBe offers an ecosystem of solutions designed to help businesses of all sizes create and maintain accessible websites. This ecosystem includes software products like accessWidget, accessFlow, and accessScan, as well as their professional expert team known as accessServices. Each product or service plays a unique role in solving a piece of the web accessibility puzzle.
- accessWidget: This is an AI-powered solution that helps websites meet legal accessibility standards without altering the original code or UX. It’s a powerful tool that can be seamlessly integrated into any website, providing an instant transformation for session-based accessibility.
- accessFlow: This is a development platform that allows businesses to test, monitor, and remediate their websites’ accessibility. It’s an all-in-one solution that provides businesses with the tools they need to ensure their websites are natively accessible and compliant with all relevant regulations.
- accessScan: This is a free tool that analyzes a website’s accessibility and delivers a detailed report on issues that need remediation. It’s a valuable resource for businesses that want to understand where they stand in terms of accessibility and what steps they need to take to improve.
- accessServices: This brings the industry’s leading experts to help businesses take the next step in digital accessibility. It’s a professional service that provides businesses with the guidance and support they need to navigate the complex landscape of web accessibility.
How accessiBe Positively Impacts Businesses Through Enhanced Web Accessibility
Improving web accessibility is not just about doing the right thing; it also makes good business sense. Here’s how accessiBe can help businesses reap the benefits of enhanced web accessibility:
Improve organic reach: By making their websites accessible, businesses can reach a wider audience, including the 16% of the population that has a disability. Accessible code is also optimized for SEO, leading to improved Google ranking and more organic traffic. It’s a win-win situation that benefits both businesses and their website users.
Improve the user experience: An accessible website offers a better user experience, with consistent page headers and structure that make navigation easier. This can lead to higher conversion rates and lower bounce rates. After all, a website that’s easy to use is a website that people will want to visit again and again.
Help comply with accessibility laws: There are laws in place to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities, like equitable access to information and services. Businesses that don’t make their website accessible to people with disabilities, are in violation of the law. By using AI-powered tools like accessiBe, businesses can conform with standards like WCAG and comply with the ADA, mitigating legal risks and saving valuable time and money that could potentially be spent on litigation for non-compliance. It’s a proactive approach but also demonstrates a business’s commitment to inclusion.
Help with taxes: Businesses that invest in web accessibility can qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000, which can be used to further their web accessibility practices. It’s a financial incentive that makes investing in accessibility even more appealing.
Interpreting Web Accessibility Laws: The Roles of ADA, DOJ, and WCAG
Web accessibility is not just a matter of good business practice; it’s also a legal requirement. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are relevant to every business, as they are shaping and enforcing accessibility regulations. Businesses need to educate themselves on these laws to ensure they are in compliance and to avoid potential legal repercussions.
The ADA, for instance, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all public areas of service, including the digital space. The DOJ is responsible for enforcing the ADA and ensuring that businesses comply with its provisions. The WCAG provides a set of guidelines that businesses can follow to make their websites more accessible and aligned with the ADA.
accessiBe’s Code of Conduct: Prioritizing Respectful Language and Inclusion
accessiBe is committed to using respectful, people-first language when talking about disabilities. They believe in putting the end-user at the center of the message and speaking about disability communities with respect and as partners. They also stress the importance of inclusion in their approach to web accessibility, recognizing that everyone has a role to play in creating an accessible internet.
By prioritizing respectful language and inclusion, accessiBe is not just promoting a more accessible internet; they are also fostering a more inclusive and respectful digital culture. It’s a vision that goes beyond accessibility and touches on the very values that underpin our society.
Provided by accessiB.