Athenahealth and the American Council of the Blind Collaborate to Enhance Digital Accessibility for Patients

25 April 2024

Athenahealth a leading provider of network-enabled software and services for medical groups and health systems nationwide, has teamed up with the American Council of the Blind to develop more inclusive and accessible experiences for blind and visually impaired patients.

This collaboration is part of athenahealth’s wider commitment to digital accessibility, aiming to cater to the needs of millions of patients.

Emphasized the existing barriers faced by visually impaired individuals when accessing healthcare in the United States.Highlighted the potential of technology to reduce these barriers, enabling better communication with healthcare providers and facilitating self-care management. T

The partnership with athenahealth signifies a step forward in making patient experiences digitally accessible and inclusive.

Through working with the American Council of the Blind, athenahealth has refined its accessibility approach for visually impaired patients. Key updates to its strategy include:

  • Establishing objectives and success metrics aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, internationally recognized standards for enhancing web content accessibility.
  • Implementing a program focused on real-world usability testing and continuous patient feedback, involving direct engagement with individuals who rely on assistive technology in their daily lives to test athenahealth's products.
  • Strengthening patient accessibility training and feedback mechanisms throughout the product development lifecycle, encompassing employee training, design reviews, formal testing for compliance, and more.

Create an inclusive healthcare ecosystem for all patients.Highlighted the significance of collaborating with organizations like the American Council of the Blind to leverage their expertise and lived experiences in driving meaningful enhancements in patient-facing applications.

Athenahealth's collaboration with the American Council of the Blind reflects its commitment to fostering accessible healthcare experiences for all patients, demonstrating a broader effort to ensure inclusivity in digital healthcare services.


Source: businesswire.com