The season for giving is almost upon us; the season when we come together with friends or family to enjoy our traditions. Increasingly digital age, festive togetherness is happening online, whether buying gifts, booking a festive city break, booking a visit to the pantomime, or even donating to charity. Technology plays a significant role in how we connect and celebrate. Yet, there are still digital barriers faced by 1 billion people worldwide.
We’ve got together with some of our partners to hear about the ways they’re supporting website visitors to achieve their holiday dreams.
Jump down to something relevant:
Holiday Travel is Essential for All
Year-round, travel companies should be offering inclusive and accessible information on websites, but it is particularly important in December and January, as the demand for transportation, accommodation, and attractions increases.
Recent industry surveys indicate that more than 50% of people with disabilities find it considerably difficult, or near impossible, to travel.
In a day and age where technology, solutions, and inventions are rife; there seems little excuse not to provide the gift of inclusion to hopeful travelers with disabilities this festive season.
Don’t let your website be the barrier that prevents people from reuniting with family or exploring new destinations.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) Makes Holiday Travel a Breeze
For Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), November – January is a busy time as travelers begin to head home for Thanksgiving, the December holidays, and New Year’s celebrations. With over 1.2 million passengers yearly and nonstop routes across the United States, CAE is committed to ensuring their passengers’ experience is smooth and easy at each step.
CAE President& CEO, Mike Gula, explains, “During this holiday season, we’re focused on empowering every passenger with the tools and resources needed to garner information, book a flight, and safely and conveniently travel through our airport. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that ensures all travelers, regardless of their needs, have a seamless experience from garage to gate.”
CAE has always incorporated accessible-focused initiatives into the airport footprint that are aimed at making travel as easy as possible for all travelers. In fact, in 2022, CAE was the first airport in South Carolina to adopt the Sunflower Program – a program in place within airports that encourages those traveling with a hidden disability to take a sunflower lanyard as a way for airport staff to identify a traveler who needs additional assistance.
So, it was a no-brainer for Daish’s Holidays to provide the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar on their digital platform. That way, no one misses a chance to travel home for the holidays!
During this holiday season, we’re focused on empowering every passenger with the tools and resources needed to garner information, book a flight, and safely and conveniently travel through our airport.
Festive Fun for Everyone – Inclusive Shopping and Leisure Activities
With physical locations becoming more accessible and inclusive; ramps in stores, ASL theater performances, and wheelchair ice-skating, it is vital that digital portals are not overlooked. There’s no point in advertising your inclusive venues and experiences, only to provide an inaccessible booking form or information page.
The spending power of people with access needs in the USA is about $490 billion, but 86% of users with access needs would spend more if there were fewer barriers.
Embracing digital inclusion means creating opportunities for everyone to engage in festive fun.
Arvada Center Gives The Gift of Inclusion
Over the holiday period, the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities experiences higher website traffic as people research and book their theater shows and workshops. As Colorado’s third-largest theater company, Arvada Center is a vital hub for the community; offering workshops, classes, free-to-access play spaces, and creative industry opportunities, as well as a scholarship program that supports children and adults in participating in theatre arts experiences.
Keeping accessibility at its core led Arvada Center to take the obvious next step in online accessibility by implementing the Recite Me assistive toolbar.
Patron Experience and Volunteer Manager at Arvada Center, Alex Reinhardt, said,“Our goal with the Recite Me accessibility resource is to make our website more welcoming and usable. By allowing you to change and adjust numerous settings including font size and language, you can now customize your online experience to meet your exact needs.”
With the use of Recite Me tools, Arvada Center has been able to ensure every website visitor has the independence to adjust the site to their own requirements and needs, allowing them to browse in a way that suits them best.
By allowing you to change and adjust numerous settings including font size and language, you can now customize your online experience to meet your exact needs.
December is The Time for Giving
The festive season is a time when many people engage in charitable activities to give back and spread joy during the festive season. It’s also a time when, unfortunately, people need a lifeline.
With inclusive digital platforms, charities can make it easy for donors to contribute regardless of their technological skills or access limitations, helping to maximize the season’s generosity.
Additionally, inclusive online engagement allows charities to share festive stories, fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities with diverse audiences, helping them feel connected and part of a meaningful cause.
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Puts Inclusion On Their Holiday Wishlist
For over 35 years, The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank has fed the hungry in Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes by providing food and educational outreach through faith-based and other community partners. During this holiday season, it’s vital their website, a lifeline to so many, is accessible, welcoming, and inclusive.
Not only does their website provide information on receiving food, SNAP assistance, and volunteer opportunities, but it is also core to their fundraising efforts.
The Food Bank added the Recite Me toolbar in 2022 to help build bridges between their online platform, and the 20% of the population 65 and older and individuals who have a disability who reside in the parishes they serve.
Communications and Donor Relations Coordinator at Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Kristen Bellati, told us, “For those who either struggled with accessing the information on our website or through our mobile app, Recite Me provides visual and auditory customization each user can change for their individual needs.”
She goes on to say, “People who needed food assistance the most who were not able to access the information in the past are now able to get the information they need.”
Together, we can make sure that fewer people worry about hunger this festive season.
For those who either struggled with accessing the information on our website or through our mobile app, Recite Me provides visual and auditory customization each user can change for their individual needs.
As the festive season approaches, let’s commit to embracing digital accessibility and giving the gift of inclusion. Together, we can create a more connected and compassionate community, making this festive season truly special for all.
3 Steps to Get Your Website Ready for the Festive Rush
The festive season brings a surge in online activity, from holiday shopping and charitable donations to booking trips and leisure activities. If your website isn’t accessible, you could be missing out on valuable traffic and turning away potential customers and supporters. Check out our 3 step guide to make sure your website is ready for the busy festive period.
