Benefits of Accessible Design

Question 1

What is the benefit of accessible design for people with disabilities?

Answer 1

• Accessible designs make life easier for people with disabilities
• Accessibility makes things possible that would be otherwise literally impossible
• Accessible websites - people with disabilities can do anything that’s on the web (banking, restaurant reservations, government benefits, apply for college, shop online, read the news, play online games)
• Accessible transportation - people with disabilities can go to work, visit friends and family, go to entertainment venues, restaurants, etc.
• Accessible architecture - people with disabilities can enter and actually use the buildings (both public and private spaces, including the homes of their friends and family

Question 2

How does accessibility improve public perception for businesses and organizations?

Answer 2

• Shows your business is committed to basic ideals of equal opportunity and fairness
• You can leverage your accessible web site as a differentiator among your competitors
• You show that you care

Question 3

How does accessibility improve compatibility for businesses and organizations?

Answer 3

• Your web site will be compatible with a wider variety of web-enabled devices
• Designing for accessibility requires that you pay attention to the robustness of your web site in many platforms, browsers, and devices using a variety of input methods

Question 4

How does accessibility improve search engine optimization for businesses and organizations?

Answer 4

• Using semantic markup helps search engines find and index your work with the appropriate keywords
• Your users and potential customers will find your web site more easily

Question 5

How does accessibility increase your customer base for businesses and organizations?

Answer 5

People with disabilities can’t spend money on you if they can’t access your website

Question 6

How does accessibility increases your eligibility for funding as businesses and organizations?

Answer 6

• Government entities often require you make your deliverables accessible
• If you know how to make your deliverables accessible, and if you have a track record to prove that you have already done so in the past, you will be more likely to get the contract

Question 7

How does accessibility helps you avoid lawsuits for businesses and organizations?

Answer 7

• Accessibility keeps you out of court. In many areas of the world, creating inaccessible web sites is against the law
• People with disabilities have rights, and they might decide to sue your company if the web site is not accessible
• This leads to bad press, hige expenses

Question 8

In general, what are three benefits of accessible design for people without disabilities?

Answer 8

• Accessible designs improve access for all
• Puts less burden on family members and helpers
• It’s an opportunity to befriend more people with disabilities.

Question 9

How do curb cuts benefit people with and without disabilities?

Answer 9

Accessibility Feature
* Provide wheelchair access

Benefits for People Without Disabilities
* Easy access for strollers, bicycles, carts, dollies and hand trucks - basically anything with wheels

Question 10

How do elevators benefit people with and without disabilities?

Answer 10

Accessibility Feature
* Provide wheelchair access

Benefits for People Without Disabilities
* Anyone can use an elevator
* Very helpful in tall buildings
* Easier to move furniture and large objects

Question 11

How do dual-height drinking fountains side by side benefit people with and without disabilities?

Answer 11

Accessibility Feature
* Provide access for shorter people, such as people with dwarfism
* Provide wheelchair access

Benefits for People Without Disabilities
* Children can access the shorter drinking fountain

Question 12

How do auto-opening doors benefit people with and without disabilities?

Answer 12

Accessibility Feature
* Provide wheelchair access

Benefits for People Without Disabilities
* People who have their hands full can enter the building without setting everything down

Question 13

How does accessibility mean less burden on family members and helpers?

Answer 13

• Family members and helpers of people with disabilities may share the burden of a world not designed with disability in mind
• Inaccessible environments mean 2 people are needed to do what should only take 1 person
• An inconvenience for both people

Question 14

How does accessibility provide the opportunity to befriend more people with disabilities?

Answer 14

• We all need friendships
• Having a genuine friendship with a person with a disability can dispel many feelings of anxiety or discomfort about disabilities in general