Disability inclusion for your customers

Your business and customers

Disability inclusion for your customers

Your business and customers

Disability inclusion for your customers

Your business and customers

Phase 2: Consideration

Why is the 'consideration phase' important?

The deeper dive — customers want details

After discovering your business through social, advertising or email, you then need to provide the specifics. Your website and brochures are their ‘go-to’ for further information on your offerings, prices, and how you’ll make an experience accessible.

Inclusivity check — does your offering match your message?

Accessible marketing promises a lot. Your website or prospectus needs to deliver on that inclusivity promise. Think of this as backing up your sales pitch with proof that your tourism or events business is accessible for people with disability.

The power of accessible websites and brochures

  • Equal access: everyone deserves the same experience.
  • Wider reach: don’t exclude a huge market segment.
  • Better user experience: good design benefits everyone.
  • Legal compliance: avoid potential discrimination issues.
  • Boost your reputation: accessibility is good PR and good business.

I need comprehensive information before deciding to visit a place. Not only does a well-detailed website with wheelchair accessibility info influence my choice, but seeing reviews from others with similar challenges is crucial

Andy, wheelchair user

An illustration of a snapshot of an email with the subject line of "RE: Accessible Bathrooms at Festival Fusion" by the email "Accessibility@FestivalFusion.com.au". The icon of a clock and a tick mark is on the bottom of the email to suggest that the email was responded to quickly. On the right is another graphic of a landing page for Accessibility for the brand "Festival Fusion". It has icons that suggest the page is screen-reader compatible and of a button with the accessibility icon that gives more accessibility options. The page also has blocks of text and a detailled map that shows entraces, exits and locations of various accessible spaces such as accessible parking, toilets and so on.

What does 'good' look like?

Accessible and inclusive websites (and hard copy materials) that are likely to meet the needs of people with disability include:

  1. Inclusive language: avoid ableist terms or stereotypes. Use appropriate language and positive, respectful phrasing.
  2. Inclusive imagery: showcase people with disability enjoying your tours and activities. This reflects your commitment to inclusivity and allows potential customers to see themselves represented.
  3. Involve people with disability in testing: get feedback and insights directly from users with various disability throughout the development and updating of your website. Their firsthand experience is invaluable in identifying accessibility barriers that you might otherwise miss.
  4. Alt text is your friend: for every image, provide alternative text (alt text) that accurately describes what’s in the image.
  5. Clear structure with headings: organise your content with headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) in a logical hierarchy. This helps people using screen readers consume your content.
  6. Colour contrast matters: ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colours
  7. Keyboard navigation is key: ensure your entire website can be navigated and used with just a keyboard.
  8. Caption videos, and provide transcripts: include captions for all video content and consider providing transcripts for audio-only content.
  9. Buttons and links: make sure that buttons and link text clearly describe the action/where it will take people. For example, instead of ‘click here’ add ‘find out more about our event’
  10. Embed or promote accessibility tools: either embed directly or inform visitors about browser extensions or other tools they can use to customise the experience (e.g., font resizing, text-to-speech, screen readers)
  11. Use accessibility checkers: utilise free web accessibility tools (like WAVE or browser extensions) to identify potential issues and get guidance on fixing them.

Simple additions like having an accessibility section on the website or a dedicated phone number for accessibility inquiries make it much more likely that I will pursue my interest

Andy, wheelchair user

Customer needs

In summary, for people with disability to have a positive experience with your small business during the consideration phase, your website should meet their needs:

  • I need your website to be accessible using assistive technologies like screen readers. This includes well-structured code, alt text, and clear headings.
  • I need to be able to navigate your entire website using only a keyboard. Not everyone can use a mouse.
  • I need the text and background colours on your website to have sufficient contrast. This is essential for me to read the content.
  • I need to be able to enlarge the text on your website if necessary. Small fonts can be difficult for me to read.
  • I need captions and/or auslan interpreted content for all videos on your website. I may not be able to hear the audio.
  • I need transcripts for any audio-only content. This provides another way to access the information.
  • I need your website to work well on different screen sizes and devices. Responsive design is important for me.
  • I need the language on your website to be clear and easy to understand. Avoid complex jargon or technical terms.
  • I need you to use inclusive language that is respectful and people-positive.

Searchable database as “wheelchair accessible” are not enough for me. I will always need more detailed information.

Andy, wheelchair user.

Downloadable Resources

Website Accessibility Statement Template

Website Accessibility Checklist

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