Accessibility: a strategic business practice
The PCMA Capital Chapter recently held its May 2024 Sparkler, Designing a Conference for All: Embracing Accessibility. The following is a summary of one presentation discussing accessibility as a strategic business practice.
Summary
The presentation, delivered by J. Mark Wallach, begins with an introduction to his extensive experience in the technology sector, particularly in helping associations manage their data and improve their event technology. He highlights his past role in heading up a mobile app for associations, focusing on event management and year-round engagement. Additionally, Wallach shares his personal mission to assist thousands of associations and raise awareness about ALS, a cause close to his heart, as he himself has been diagnosed with the condition.
Wallach draws attention to the importance of accessibility in technology, emphasizing that individuals with accessibility needs are constantly adapting to their evolving requirements. He discusses physical disabilities, such as mobility issues, and the challenges he faces as a wheelchair user with limited ambulatory function. Furthermore, he highlights the significance of addressing color blindness and the need for adequate color contrast in digital content to ensure user readability. Wallach also mentions hearing disabilities and advocates for using live captioning during events to accommodate individuals with hearing impairments.
The presentation takes a deeper dive into Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), emphasizing how adherence to these guidelines not only enhances accessibility but also leads to improved search engine optimization (SEO) metrics. Wallach underscores the potential for accessible technology to increase website traffic and user engagement, thereby presenting a compelling case for the business benefits of prioritizing accessibility. He humorously references his status as a baby boomer and relates to the universal aging experience.
Overall, the presentation poignantly reminds us of the importance of integrating accessibility into technology solutions as a means of inclusion and strategic business practice. Wallach’s personal anecdotes and insightful commentary effectively underscore the practical and ethical imperatives of embracing accessibility in the digital landscape.
J. Mark Wallach, MBA, is the CEO Emeritus of Engagement Mobile Strategies, a consulting agency committed to helping associations increase member engagement, retention, and non-dues revenue through mobile technology selection, strategy, and implementation.
For more information about member engagement and mobile technology, visit www.engagementmobile.com or email curious@engagementmobile.com.
