KIA&B May/June 2020 | Page 16

MARKETING YOUR WEBSITE SHOULD BE ADA COMPLIANT By Larry Neilson and Jerry Fox Whenever you enter a new building, you likely notice how they have taken measures to ensure that it is accessible for everyone. From sturdy handrails to ramps and elevators, a property must consider the needs of every possible person who could want to enter. However, this is not just an issue for physical spaces. Accessibility has also gone digital, and it’s time for you to take a look at how accessible your website is. You might be thinking, “Why, as an insurance agency, is it necessary to consider whether my website is accessible to the visually impaired, blind, deaf, or otherwise limited? Do the brick and mortar requirements of the ADA extend to virtual properties? What are we talking about when we say website accessibility for people with disabilities?” Since you are in insurance, you understand risk. Let’s start with a look at the risk of doing nothing for your website regarding accessibility. Then, we examine what accessibility means to you as an agent and how you can update your website. WHAT IS WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY? Accessibility means considering as many people as 16