The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce a new feature on its website that makes navigation more accessible for people with visual and cognitive disabilities. The Arvada Chamber’s site now includes a widget that offers people with disabilities a way to customize their navigational experience according to their personal needs. Users can choose a disability profile like “Vision Impaired Profile” and simultaneously activate all relevant adjustments. Alternatively, users can enable singular adjustments like increasing font sizes, change color contrasts, stop animations, and more.
This new feature aligns with the Arvada Chamber’s core values to create an inclusive business environment where everyone can access information and services. Today, about 23% of adults in Colorado have a disability, according to the CDC.
The accessibility widget on the Chamber website includes the following profile settings:
- ADHD-friendly profile: more focus and fewer distractions
- Cognitive disability profiles: assists with reading and focusing;
- Vision-impaired profile: enhances the website visuals;
- Seizure-safe profile: eliminates flashes and reduces color
“By incorporating this new website accessibility tool, we’re not only enhancing the user experience for individuals with disabilities but also demonstrating our dedication to fostering a culture of inclusion within our community,” said Arvada Chamber President and CEO Kami Welch.
Digital accessibility is a concern that can often be overlooked, but compliance, or lack thereof, can have serious ramifications. While digital accessibility is a fairly new concept structurally for the ADA (Americans with Disability Act), an increasing number of web accessibility lawsuits have seen the courts interpret the ADA to also apply to the digital realm. In addition, more modern regulations have begun to require content accessibility to everyone.
In 2021, the Colorado government passed HB21-1110, which requires most state government entities to comply with digital accessibility by July 1, 2024. California’s Unruh Act, which predates the ADA by more than 30 years, allows plaintiffs to sue businesses for operating inaccessible websites and mobile apps. The Act applies to any brick-and-mortar business that sells or promotes products or services in California, even those not located in the state.
“In today’s digital age, having an ADA-compliant website is not just a recommendation; it’s a necessity,” says Lisa Bengtson, Founder and CEO of BlendWorks Digital Marketing. BlendWorks introduced the accessibility feature to the Arvada Chamber and installed it on its website. “An ADA-compliant website is a commitment to inclusivity and legal compliance, reflecting your dedication to serving all users.”
Bengtson also cites increased performance measures for an accessible website. More accessible websites see higher traffic, lower bounce rates, enhanced SEO rankings, and increased conversion rates, ultimately making it easier for people to discover your website. According to AudioEye, just 3% of the web is considered accessible. Find out how accessible your website is by using the free tool at accessibe.com/accessscan.
Belonging is at the heart of the Arvada Chamber’s core values and works to serve the Arvada business community. By creating an inclusive environment, the Chamber’s vision in this work is to empower new perspectives, solutions, and opportunities for our local economy and serve as a champion for advancing all businesses and employees in Arvada. Learn more at arvadachamber.org/inclusion.
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