Why We Should Make LinkedIn Posts More Inclusive – And How to Do It?

Hey there! As an HR professional who’s passionate about diversity and inclusion, I think we need to do more than just talk about these topics. If we truly care about reaching people, then our posts here on LinkedIn need to be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. It’s not just about being "nice"—it’s about making sure our voices are heard by as many people as possible.

The good news is that making LinkedIn content more inclusive isn’t hard. There are some really simple tweaks we can make that will have a big impact.

1. Add voice assistants for people with visual impairments

Let’s face it, reading long posts can be tough for anyone, and it’s even harder for those who have visual impairments. This is where voice assistants come in handy. Think about how much easier it would be if people could just listen to your post instead of reading it.

Here’s what you can do:

• Use free tools like Natural Reader or Speech Central to convert your post into an audio file. Record yourself summarizing your main points or even reading the entire post out loud.
• If you’re sharing a video, add audio descriptions that explain what’s happening. This gives some context for people who can’t see the visuals.

These small steps can make your content way more accessible, and it shows you care about reaching everyone.

2. Use dyslexia-friendly fonts

Reading online content can be a real struggle for people with dyslexia, but choosing the right fonts can make things easier. Some fonts are actually designed to be more readable for people with dyslexia, and even small adjustments can make a big difference.

Here are some tips:

• Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma are generally easier to read.
• Specialized fonts like Dyslexie and OpenDyslexic are designed specifically for dyslexia. They give each letter a unique shape to reduce confusion.
• Make your text a bit larger (12-14 points) and increase line spacing to avoid the cramped look.

While LinkedIn doesn’t allow custom fonts in posts, you can create infographics or images with text in these fonts and share those. It’s a simple tweak that can help a lot of people.

3. Always add captions to your videos

Videos are fantastic for engagement, but if you don’t add captions, you’re excluding people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Adding subtitles isn’t difficult, and it ensures everyone can follow along.

How to add captions:

• Use free tools like Rev, Amara, or Kapwing to create subtitles.
• LinkedIn lets you add captions directly when you upload your videos, so always take advantage of that feature.

Trust me, this doesn’t just make your content more inclusive; it also increases engagement because a lot of people watch videos on mute anyway.

4. Describe your images (use alt text)

When you share images, don’t forget to add a description (alt text) that explains what’s in the image. This helps people using screen readers understand the content you’re sharing.

Here’s how:

• Keep your description short but clear. Explain the important details.
• If the image includes text, summarize the message in your description.

Adding alt text is easy on LinkedIn—just click "add alt text" when you upload an image. It takes a few seconds but makes a world of difference for those with visual impairments.

5. Use language that includes everyone

Let’s make sure our words are welcoming, too. The language we use should be inclusive, so here are a few tips:

• Use gender-neutral terms whenever possible. For example, say “they” instead of “he” or “she.”
• Avoid complex jargon or industry-specific terms that might confuse people.
• Keep the tone friendly and positive. The goal is to make people feel included, not left out.

6. Make your content easy to read

The way you structure your content matters a lot. Breaking up text with headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs makes it easier to follow. This helps everyone, not just people with disabilities.

Why this matters

If we’re serious about promoting diversity and inclusion, then our content has to be accessible to everyone. Making small changes like adding captions, using voice assistants, or choosing the right fonts can make a huge difference. It’s all about creating content that’s welcoming and available to as many people as possible.

We can make LinkedIn a more inclusive place - one post at a time. It doesn’t take much, but it can mean the world to someone else.