Web Accessibility in Healthcare: More Than Just a "Nice-to-Have"

Introduction

When it comes to web development, there are features you don’t even think to cheer for, like a website that loads before you grow a full beard. Then there’s web accessibility. Let’s be real: no one’s standing up and saying, “Let’s make our site a digital labyrinth for the visually impaired!” It’s a no-brainer; accessibility should be as standard as a contact form.
But here’s the rub: making your website accessible (correctly) isn’t cheap, and too often, it’s viewed as a luxury liner for a select few. This mindset is problematic for a couple of reasons:

• Morally, it’s just not right.
• Legally, it’s leaving yourself vulnerable to lawsuits.
• Financially, it’s way cheaper to get it right from the start than to apply retroactively

Current Solutions and Challenges

In an attempt to sidestep these issues, many developers slap on an accessibility plugin and call it a day. Spoiler alert: these plugins are the equivalent of slapping a band-aid on a gushing wound. They don’t quite cut it. (And yes, we’ll dive into the gritty why’s in a bit, so stay tuned.)

Another twist? The goalposts for web accessibility are always on the move. The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are always changing, which understandably drives marketers and business owners up the wall.

Carenetic’s Approach to Accessibility

At Carenetic, we’ve taken a different road. We believe web accessibility isn’t just about avoiding legal squabbles or checking a box; it’s about creating a better, more inclusive patient experience. After all, odds are, someone in your patient community is squinting at their screen trying to figure out where the heck the “services” tab is. (Or worse, using their keyboard to tab to it and it won’t)

That’s why every website network we build comes out of the box with WCAG 2.1 Level A compliance baked right in, and we’re committed to staying on top of the standards.
Over the next few posts, I’ll walk you through what web accessibility really means, how we weave it into the fabric of every website, and why this isn’t just a good move. It’s the only move for healthcare providers who care about every patient’s experience.