In the ever-evolving world of healthcare and social care marketing, creating informative and engaging content for your patients and service users is crucial. However, the quest for innovation and captivating design can sometimes overshadow a vital aspect – accessibility.
Everyone deserves access to essential information and services, regardless of ability. That’s why digital accessibility is paramount for healthcare and social care websites. It allows businesses to bridge healthcare inequalities by ensuring everyone can access vital health information to stay informed and empowered.
Why Choose Accessibility?
Reaching a Wider Audience: In the UK, 1 in 5 people has some form of disability. By prioritising accessibility, you ensure nobody is excluded from healthcare education and important opportunities to improve their health outcomes.
Enhanced User Experience: Accessible content is user-friendly for everyone, creating a smooth and stress-free journey for all visitors.
Building Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility showcases patient-centered care, fostering trust and strengthening patient-provider relationships.
Legal Requirement: Making your digital content accessible isn’t optional; it’s a legal requirement. We at Complete Business follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines ensure content is:
- Perceivable: Easy for users to understand.
- Operable: User interface elements and navigation are functional and easy to use.
- Understandable: Both interface functionality and website information are clear.
- Robust: Content is reliably interpreted by users and assistive technologies.
Designing your website for Accessibility:
Accessibility goes beyond disability. It considers factors like location, health, and equipment that might impact access. We focus on various user needs:
- Visual Impairment: We ensure compatibility with screen readers and proper labeling of images, links, and buttons.
- Color Blindness: Customisable text size and color schemes are available.
- Mobility Issues: Large clickable links, easy keyboard navigation, and compatibility with assistive technology like switches and eye gaze devices are implemented.
- Hearing Impairment: Videos include captions for better understanding.
- Dyslexia: We offer fonts that reduce reading errors and improve user experience.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Short menus, limited options, and standardised controls simplify navigation. “Easy Read” content with clear explanations might also be helpful.
Resources for Accessible Design:
Complete Business is committed to creating accessible websites. Here are some valuable resources:
- Home Office Digital: Dos & Don’ts on Designing for Accessibility
- W3C’s WAI: Introduction to Understanding WCAG
- NHS Digital: Designing for inclusion
- NHS: Digital service manual
- WAVE® Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools
- GOV.UK: Making your service accessible
- Patient Information Forum: Web accessibility & Co-production: involving users in developing health information
Investing in accessibility is a win-win. It ensures compliance with legal requirements, broadens your reach, and creates a positive user experience for everyone.
Complete Business Ltd has the expertise to craft highly accessible healthcare and social care websites that will engage your patients and service users. Contact us today to learn more!
