Website Solutions For ADA Compliance


Making the Internet Accessible.

We know just the word “compliance” is probably a bad idea to place in an introductory sentence, but please hear us out. If your website is not accessible to people with disabilities, it is not compliant with the law. 

Everyone knows about accessibility in physical public places and ensuring accommodations for everyone. A few years ago, The Americans with Disabilities Act said accessibility also applied to the digital realm, or more specifically, your website

It is estimated that over 250,000 digital accessibility-related demand letters are sent to businesses each year. E-commerce businesses saw the highest amount of cases filed. The majority of these result in settlements, which can cost you. Those that aren’t resolved can escalate into full-blown lawsuits. We feel it’s our duty to let you know.

What are the ADA Accessibility Guidelines? 

Here is a list of the main Accessibility guidelines: 

  • All text on the website must be readable by screen readers. 
  • The website must provide text for images and videos. 
  • The website must allow users to turn off media. 
  • The website must prohibit users from using seizure-causing content. 
  • The website must be consistent with navigating tools. 
  • The website must help users with explanations and instructions.
  • The website must be completely accessible by computer.

The main complaint many small businesses had about this new ADA addition was that website updates such as these are very costly and a significant time investment. Many companies have not been able to afford the changes, but not complying with the guidelines puts them at risk of a lawsuit. What should you do?


What is the AccessiBE widget all about? 

When this addition to the Americans with Disability act first came into play, there was no efficient way to make these changes. Everything needed to be changed manually. Nowadays, we have great resources like AccessiBE, which is relatively inexpensive and extremely well-designed. 

It’s highly advanced software that automatically scans your website to ensure inclusion practices and opens it to a whole new area of potential consumers. Every 24 hours, AccessiBE will scan your website and fix any potential issues. The first scan can take up to 48 hours. After that, your website will be completely ADA-compliant. 

There are several different price points, the most affordable starting at $49 a month, which is what VIA uses and the most popular. It’s straightforward to set up, and only requires a singular line of code, which is impressive considering the level of technology involved. AccessiBE works side-by-side with people with disabilities so they can ensure their products exceed your expectations.


Open your website to everybody, no matter their ability.

AccessiBE is an excellent resource and we found it to be a worthy investment. Twenty-five percent of the population has a disability holding them back from fully using the internet.

 

Separate yourself from your competition by showing how diversity, equity, and inclusion are valued.  

You can also earn an ADA Federal tax credit up to $5,000. Your business must employ less than 30 full time employees and have an income of less than $1,000,000. See details on form 8826 page 2. 

To be sure you are ADA Compliant, contact our team to help you install this time-saving, cost-efficient software.


Building your Reputation with Public Relations

Why should you invest in Public Relations?

Your brand or company’s public image is more important than ever, especially nowadays, with so many eyes on you and ample access to information that could expose companies with just one click. On top of that, 63% of most companies’ overall value is dependent on public image. Public image shows the importance of learning to utilize the press in a way that best benefits your business. 

Public Relations can get the word out to attract different news outlets, exposing your content to a larger audience while creating relationships and credibility with current or future customers. It is also relatively cost-effective and significantly cheaper than paid promotions, making communication with your clients much easier and more efficient.

Where did Public Relations come from?

The idea of Public Relations itself stems from the idea of communication, which is a concept that has been around for centuries, dating back to the philosophers of ancient Greece. It wasn’t until the birth of America that mass communication was used, from Samuel Adams spreading political messages that would inspire the famous anti-tax protests to Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense,” persuading people to support the American Revolution. Public Relations has continued to evolve and adapt to the rapidly changing world of communications as we know it today.

What does Public Relations involve?

When people think of Public Relations, many will associate it with press releases when, in reality, that’s only a tiny piece of the puzzle.

Public Relations includes:

  • Press releases and digital content
  • News conferences and events
  • Annual reports
  • Newsletters
  • Crisis Communication plans

Each one of these aspects of Public Relations involves a particular set of skills. Here at VIA Marketing, we found the perfect fit for this specialized role. Michelle DiSanto is a creative thinker, a talented writer, organized, and an overall joy around the office. She works diligently to ensure our clients are delighted with her expertise and services.

We decided to gain more insight by asking Michelle a few questions.

When should you use print or digital campaigns?

You must evaluate your audience or customers and answer that question to make that decision. Due to the fact for example, if your audience is older, they are less likely to look at or interact with a digital campaign. However, if your audience is a mixed range of all ages, you should combine print and digital so all age demographics engage with your campaign.

What does your daily task load look like?

I could be planning an event, attending meetings, calling, or emailing back and forth with a client. I could create, write a piece or news article, and work with our graphic artist to meet our client’s needs. Every day is quite different, depending on what is happening.

What makes a good newsletter or Press Release?

Mainly, high-quality, straight-to-the-point content that is informative and factual while keeping the audience in mind.

What is the difference between Advertising and Public Relations?

The strategies are quite different. Advertising seeks to generate more profit and revenue from sales initiated due to specific advertisements. Public Relations, however, aims to create awareness and a more prominent reputation for the company or brand through networking and communication.

What if I need help creating or improving my company’s public image?

At VIA, we can work with you to create a personalized Public Relations strategy to help you gain publicity, build credibility, and build a relationship with your clients. Contact us today, and we will help you reach your goals!