US Virgin Islands enhances tourism web site for consumers with disabilites

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The upgrades include an updated homepage design with information about the DOT iPhone App and the USVI Blue Flag certification program.

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, US Virgin Islands, Friday June 15, 2012 - In an effort to provide an enhanced user experience for consumers with disabilities, the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism launched several upgrades to the territory's website, www.visitusvi.com.

The upgrades enable greater synergy between the technologies used by consumers and the Department's site.

Enhancements include closed captioning for videos, updated navigation, improved page layout, and greater contrast on pages to assist the vision impaired. Accessibility is the aim of these and other features which ensure screen readers accurately communicate the content of the site.

While the site has been 100% ADA compliant (The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) for some time, these changes elevate the experience for visitors with disabilities.

"As a US Territory operating under US law, the USVI is aiming to take the lead in the Caribbean with accessible lodging, attractions and other options to provide a barrier-free travel experience," reported Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

"We are very pleased to roll out these new enhancements to ensure that travelers with disabilities enjoy a user-friendly experience even before visiting the destination," she added.

In addition to improving the user experience for consumers with disabilities, the upgrades include an updated homepage design with information about the DOT iPhone App and the USVI Blue Flag certification program. A new page has been dedicated to information on St. Croix casinos as well as a page dedicated to cruising to the USVI.

"Our website remains the single most important marketing tool for promoting the US Virgin Islands around the world so we are continuously investing in upgrades to ensure all prospective visitors have access to useful information about the destination," asserted Commissioner Nicholson-Doty.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Twitter (@USVITourism) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.