In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, we embrace the topic of accessibility. Accessibility is a critical component for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, and people with disabilities to thrive in today’s world. It’s still an evolving concept, and misconceptions about its true meaning and implementation still exist. These myths can sometimes deter organizations from pursuing the steps necessary to create an inclusive environment for everyone.
At ASL Now, we are always educating people and clarifying these misconceptions, and we will continue to do so by sharing the top myths we’ve come across in the industry.
One of the most ongoing myths about accessibility is that it’s expensive. Many organizations believe that implementing accessible technologies and services will strain their budgets. This causes them to delay or completely avoid making necessary changes to accommodate. However, this myth couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Reality
While there may be upfront costs associated with accessibility, the long-term benefits far outweigh these initial investments. When accessible solutions are put in place, it often leads to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, which can translate into higher revenues. Accessibility improvements benefit not only those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing but also the broader population, including people with disabilities.
Another common misconception is that accessibility efforts only benefit people with disabilities. While it’s true that accessibility strategies are crucial for people with disabilities, they also have far-reaching benefits for everyone.
The Reality
Accessibility is about creating environments that are usable by all people, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. For example, captioned videos are not only helpful for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people but also for people who are learning a new language or watching content in noisy environments.
Another example is Direct Video Calling, a communications model that enables Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers to communicate with businesses in their natural language, ASL, is a huge win for the Deaf community as it allows their questions or issues to be resolved more effectively. By adopting this accessible solution, businesses can improve their services for a wider audience, making accessibility a win-win for everyone.
Many organizations and decision-makers believe that once they’ve implemented a few accessible features, their work is done. This myth perpetuates the idea that accessibility is a box to be checked off rather than an ongoing commitment.
The Reality
As technology evolves and user needs change, accessibility solutions must also adapt. This means regularly updating websites, apps, and communication tools to make sure they remain accessible to all users.
What can your business do to keep up with accessibility solutions? You can work closely with your contractor or provider to develop long-term strategies that address both current and future accessibility needs. This can be done through consulting services, training programs, or technology solutions.
Some people mistakenly believe that accessibility limits creativity and innovation with ugly, off-putting designs. They worry that designing for accessibility will restrict their ability to showcase their products and services.
The Reality
Accessibility actually boosts innovation by encouraging designers and developers to think outside the box and create solutions that work for everyone. In fact, many of today’s most innovative technologies, such as voice recognition and touchscreens, were originally developed to assist people with disabilities.
Our team at ASL Now is composed of real people who rely on accessibility themselves, which positions us as a leader in the accessibility space. We also bring extensive experience and understanding of how to support accessibility in your business and organization. Some examples of how we can support you are:
• Direct Video Calling (DVC): An FCC-endorsed communications model that involves live, real-time video calls, allowing businesses and government agencies to interact directly with their consumers using American Sign Language (ASL), and eliminating reliance on third-party relay providers. DVC is not only equitable but also sets a new standard for customer service.
• Consulting and Training: We offer consulting services and training programs to help organizations develop long-term accessibility strategies that adapt to changing needs and technologies. We also offer other ASL Now services such as Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), On-Site Virtual Support, Live Chat, and Answering Services. More information can be found on our website: https://aslnow.com/service.
As we continue to advocate for accessibility, we also strongly emphasize the importance of supporting legislation like the Communication Video Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Bill. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that everyone has access to the communication tools they need to thrive in today’s digital world. You can participate in the push for greater accessibility in the world by bringing your congresspeople’s attention to the CVTA bill.
The misconceptions that accessibility is too expensive, only benefits a small group, is a one-time fix, or hinders innovation are all barriers and myths that prevent progress. We hope that with more education and awareness, we can reduce the prevalence of those myths in due time.
Happy Deaf Awareness Month!
