How can you ensure accessibility and inclusivity in Digital Strategy publishing?

Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in digital strategy publishing is crucial to reaching a diverse audience and providing a positive user experience for all. Here are key practices to achieve accessibility and inclusivity: Adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): What to Do: Follow WCAG guidelines to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. Why: WCAG provides a comprehensive set of standards for web accessibility, covering aspects such as text alternatives, keyboard navigation, and content structure.

Accessibility in digital strategy publishing refers to the design of digital content and platforms in a way that is usable for people with a wide range of abilities, including those with disabilities. Inclusivity means ensuring that content and digital strategies cater to a diverse audience, taking into account different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

In my +10 years of experience, inclusive strategies not only grant us a larger audience but bring better results in terms of sales.

Use Accessible Design and User Interface: What to Do: Design websites and digital content with accessibility in mind, ensuring a clear and user-friendly interface. Why: Accessible design benefits all users and helps those with disabilities navigate and interact with digital content effectively. Provide Alternative Text for Images: What to Do: Include descriptive alternative text for images to provide context for users who rely on screen readers. Why: Alt text ensures that visually impaired users can understand the content conveyed through images.

To assess the accessibility and inclusivity of your digital strategy, you can: Conduct audits of your websites and digital platforms using accessibility tools and guidelines (like WCAG). Gather feedback from diverse user groups, including people with disabilities. Analyze usage data to understand if there are barriers preventing certain groups from engaging with your content.

Create Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia: What to Do: Include captions for videos and transcripts for audio content to accommodate users with hearing impairments. Why: Captions and transcripts make multimedia content accessible to a broader audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ensure Keyboard Accessibility: What to Do: Design websites and applications to be navigable using a keyboard alone, without relying on mouse or touch interactions. Why: Keyboard accessibility is essential for users with mobility impairments or those who rely on assistive technologies.

Improving accessibility and inclusivity can be done by: Implementing design changes based on accessibility guidelines. Creating content that reflects diverse perspectives and voices. Offering alternative formats for content (like text-to-speech, subtitles, etc.). Regularly updating your strategies to align with evolving accessibility standards.

Maintaining these aspects involves: Ongoing monitoring and testing of digital platforms for accessibility. Keeping up-to-date with changes in technology and standards. Providing continuous training for your team on inclusivity and accessibility best practices. Engaging with diverse communities to stay informed about their needs and expectations.

Implement Responsive Design: What to Do: Use responsive design principles to ensure that content is accessible and well-presented across various devices and screen sizes. Why: Responsive design accommodates users who may access content on different devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and desktops. Test with Accessibility Tools: What to Do: Use accessibility testing tools and assistive technologies to evaluate the accessibility of your digital content. Why: Testing helps identify potential issues and ensures that your digital strategy is inclusive and usable for all users.

Provide Clear Navigation and Headings: What to Do: Use clear and descriptive headings to organize content and facilitate easy navigation. Why: Clear headings assist users in understanding the structure of content, especially for screen reader users. Offer Font and Text Customization: What to Do: Allow users to customize font size, color, and contrast settings to enhance readability. Why: Customization options cater to users with visual impairments or preferences for specific text display settings.

Additionally, consider: Collaborating with accessibility and inclusivity experts for specialized insights. Being proactive in understanding and integrating emerging technologies that enhance accessibility. Building a culture within your organization that prioritizes and values diversity and inclusion. Ensuring legal compliance, as neglecting accessibility can have legal ramifications. Remember, accessibility and inclusivity should be an ongoing commitment, integrated into every aspect of your digital strategy, from design to content creation and beyond.