Yelp remains committed to connecting people with businesses that best address their individual needs and preferences. This includes introducing eco-friendly attributes for those looking to patronize establishments that prioritize sustainability, as well as enabling businesses to indicate if they’re Open to All, or if they have gender-neutral restrooms, which are important for consumers who want to feel safe and welcomed.
While “wheelchair accessible” is among the most popular attributes on Yelp business pages, Yelp recognizes that “accessibility needs vary for the more than 42 million Americans with disabilities.” To better serve the community, ahead of Disability Pride Month in July, Yelp has teamed up with disability inclusion leaders Disability:IN, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Open to All, and The Arc to introduce new searchable accessibility attributes.
These attributes will make it easier for users to find businesses that meet their mobility, hearing, and vision accessibility needs. They’re also rolling out platform updates for people with visual impairments, including AI-powered alternative text for photos to improve the experience for people using screen readers. Additionally, they’ve created a new Accessibility Resource Hub for businesses, which offers information and tools to help business owners implement and learn more about inclusive practices for customers with disabilities.
Yelp users are increasingly looking for businesses that accommodate accessibility needs, with “wheelchair accessible” searches rising an average of 40% from 2020 to 2023. To further meet this growing need, they are introducing eight new business attributes that cater to specific accessibility needs and provide users with reliable and helpful information before visiting a business.
In addition to existing wheelchair accessible attribute, consumers can now identify businesses that provide accommodations for the following mobility, hearing and vision accessibility needs.
Click here to read more about the Yelp accessibility updates.
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