Visualizing the Future of Inclusive eCommerce

‍

Head to the VirgoImage Project’s blog, Diversity Styling, to read Scribely Founder & CEO Caroline Desrosiers’ thoughts on how we can make the online shopping experience more inclusive for people who are blind or have low vision, deaf or hard of hearing.

Blog excerpt below:

“It’s exciting to see all the changes taking place with making fashion more inclusive for all. But is shopping itself inclusive? There are a surprising number of fashion brands that do not currently provide image alt text on websites and social media. People who rely on assistive technology want to shop online like everyone else,

but without alt text this is virtually impossible. Scribely wants to fix that. It’s important to understand your customers’ online access needs so you can design an eCommerce experience that works for everyone. For example, people who are deaf or hard of hearing (HOH) often use closed captions and transcripts to access video content. People living with mobility impairments tab through web-based content using their keyboard. People who are blind or visually impaired use screen reader technologies to listen to content as it is read out loud.  

5 Tips for Accessible eCommerce

Providing accessible content does not have to be an overwhelming obstacle. Here are 5 simple accessibility tips that can be implemented right away:

1. Accurate and distinctive alt text. Alt text is critical for web accessibility and it is also an extension of your brand’s marketing materials.
2. Accessible video with closed captions, transcripts and audio descriptions. It’s important to ensure that your video is accessible to people with hearing and visual impairments.
3. Inclusive language and imagery. It’s imperative that your website is a safe space where everyone feels welcome.
4. Adaptive fashion designs. Consider adding adaptive fashion designs over time. This can be as simple as designing a product that’s easy to wear for all bodies.
5. Inclusive model representation. Feature models or spokespeople of all races, gender identities, sizes, abilities, ethnicities, and more to represent all of your customers.

Fashion sets the trends that society follows. As fashion becomes more inclusive and accessible, we will see society change in response. Scribely’s approach makes images accessible, unique and effective. We look forward to assisting brands in their pursuit of creating an accessible online shopping experience for today’s diverse, modern shoppers.”