E- Rehab - October/November 2019

Physical therapists understand the importance of creating an accessible environment better than most professionals. Working with people who are injured or struggling with pain often involves meeting them on their level, and the same is true for creating a space that’s welcoming for people with physical disabilities. When it comes to creating accessible spaces, we usually think first about entryways, bathrooms, and other concrete obstacles that may present challenges for those with limited function or mobility. Tackling these areas is essential, but it’s also important to ask yourself whether or not your website is as welcoming as it’s needed to be. When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, the idea that being able to use a business’s website would be essential to engaging with their business didn’t exist. As such, the bill has few guidelines for accessible website design. In the 30 years since, though, online commerce and interaction has become a much more integral part of our lives. This year, the idea that a website is an essential part of a business was debated on the floor of the Supreme Court. Early in October, the Supreme Court upheld the right of blind people to sue Domino’s for failing to make their website and app accessible. According to the Washington Post, the court’s decision was based on the idea that the ADA “protects access not just to restaurants and stores but also to the websites and apps of those businesses.” The ruling doesn’t mean the plaintiffs will win their suit; it simply means they have a right to bring it. Legal precedence on the matter is still far from established, but that won’t stop lawyers from finding as many businesses as possible to bring suits against. E-Rehab has accessibility tools for your website that might help you to avoid the hassle of a lawsuit. Contact us today. LET’S TALK ACCESSIBILITY ADA COMPLIANCE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

THE NO. 1 FACTOR IN SELLING YOUR SERVICES TO DOCTORS … As the old saying goes, people buy from people they trust. How do you establish and maintain trust? Here are four easy ways to accomplish this today. 1. LOOK LIKE A PRO. Like it or not, in this world, looks matter. A professional appearance conveys respect to the doctor and office staff, suggesting that you care enough to look like a professional for them. 2. KNOW YOUR PROFESSION. Sharp style can only get you so far — especially when talking to a doctor with some knowledge on rehab of neuromusculoskeletal problems. Make sure you know the latest research that supports a referral to physical therapy, how your care can specifically solve a problem for that doctor’s patients, and what your competition does inside and out. Then share your information with confidence through intelligent, insightful conversation to build further trust. 3. KNOW SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY DO. In sales, the saying is that “everyone’s favorite subject is themselves.” That’s why when you take the time to really know their practice, the patients they see, what they think about treatment, and even solutions to problems they haven’t yet thought of, you immediately create authority and trust. Do your homework and ask questions . Get to know your referring physician’s business, and then drop a little knowledge in your conversations to show you’re concerned about them. (Hint: Have you looked at your referring physician’s online reputation? If it’s not great, let them know about it and share the process to help them improve it.) If you look the part, then the doctor or office staff will trust your authority, and that trust can then be built upon.

To learn more about accessible digital design, visit W3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility.

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