You have so much to remember at the beginning of your business journey. The process of coming up with an idea, formulating a business plan, finding investment sources, and building something from nothing requires courage and perseverance. It is easy for new entrepreneurs to forget some essential points while trying to juggle everything at once.
For example, accessibility should be a top concern, yet many up-and-coming business owners fail to include necessary access features to encourage greater inclusivity. Since new entrepreneurs need to garner as much positive attention as possible, excluding any group of people from accessing your business makes no sense. Here are a few frequently forgotten accessibility essentials that you should embed into your business at an early stage.
Offer a Variety of Communication Possibilities
A significant part of making any business more accessible is providing a breadth of communication options for people with different requirements. For example, if you send letters to clients, some people may need larger print or Braille in order to read the message. Sign language interpreters and various document formats make accessing your business easier for different people.
Train Employees About Appropriate Language and Respect
How your business interacts with the public is crucial to your overall reputation among your target audience. This is why it is necessary for you to offer adequate training for your employees about how to communicate respectfully with people who have disabilities. Certain phrases and terminology can be intensely harmful and discourage an individual from ever interacting with your business in the future.
Ensure Physical Premises Are Accessible to People with Disabilities
If you have an office or store, your premises should also be adjusted for accessibility. This should range from straightforward additions such as clear signage to wider doorways, ramps, and bathroom facilities.
Add Accessibility Widgets to Elevate Your Online Presence
Since so much business is done online, there is no excuse for your website not to be as accessible as possible. By adding accessibility widgets to your site, you provide more options to visitors who made need alternatives to online navigation. For example, you can read these Userway reviews to find out whether it’s right for you. Consider whether your site is compatible with screen readers and other useful adjustments that make a site simpler to use.
Include Accessibility Concerns in Your Business Emergency Plans
New entrepreneurs tend to forget about emergency plans due to being swept up in making their initial business plans. However, the safety of yourself, your employees, your customers, and your business relies on emergency preparedness plans that account for people with all levels of ability.
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Conclusion
Too many businesses in the past viewed accessibility as an afterthought. This often meant that they either neglected it completely or only allowed small concessions that barely improved anyone’s access. As a newcomer to the world of entrepreneurship, it’s up to you to change this narrative and offer higher levels of accessibility to attract more people to your business and promote inclusivity.
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