accessible content final...•use reputable brands of software and templates/themes •use landing...

Make sure your message reaches everyone!

AccessibleContent

Weeducateandconnectpeoplewithdisabilitiestoresourceswhileadvocatingsocialchange.

DisabilityNetworkSouthwestMichigan

WhatisAccessibleContent?

Current and potential board members, funders, volunteers, donors, clients, community members & job applicants

Accessible content benefits everyone

The ADA ensures equal access to all areas of community life –

including equal access to information

Americans with Disabilities Act

• It’s good communication – you want everyone to get your message.

• Your message will reach more people.• It demonstrates that you are being inclusive of people with various needs.

• Avoid having to scramble to put together a solution for a last‐minute request.

• Eliminates an awkward situation for you and for the person needing the accommodation and respects their privacy.

• Lead by example – it’s the right thing to do!• It’s the law 

Whyit’simportanttoofferaccessiblecontent?

OnPrint(ordownload)document:

“This document is available in alternative format upon request.”

PresentationMaterials,askontheinvitationorregistration:

“To request an accommodation, contact Dale Abbott at abbottd@dnswm.org

MakingtheShiftHowandWhentoAsk

Somerulesforaccessiblecontentapplytoallformatsandarebasicgooddesignandgoodcommunication!

• Font selection• High contrast• Appropriate use of color• Avoid busy backgrounds

AccessibleContent:TheBasics

• San Serif fonts are easier to read in general. • Serif Fonts have extra lines “handles” on the ends of the lines for added style which can make them more difficult to read.

• Sans Serif fonts are more “clean” and easier to read/recognize particularly as body text.

• Fancy (display) fonts should be limited to large print such as headlines

• Consider your audience when selecting font size. 

BasicGuidelinesFontConsideration

Your end goal is to communicate. Don’t compromise readability for “fun” or “fancy” fonts just because you like them.

BasicGuidelinesFontExamples

• High contrast between text and background is best for readability.

• The highest contrast you can achieve is black on white or white on black.

• When using color, contrast can be deceiving• Quick test – print in black & white• Don’t trust your screen view!

BasicGuidelinesColor/ContrastConsideration

BasicGuidelinesColor/ContrastExamples

Don’tusecolorONLY todifferentiateinformation.Consider these two examples – which one fully communicates the information to people of all abilities?

BasicGuidelinesColor‐CodingConsideration

Avoidbusyorimagebackgroundsbehindtext.

BasicGuidelinesBackgroundConsideration

Varyingreasonswhyalternativeformatisneededandtheyaren’tallobvious• Blind or low‐vision disability• Print disability

Somealternativeformatoptions• Electronic (pdf, Word Doc, etc.)• Large print (18pt font)• Braille• Text‐to‐Audio

PrintMaterials:AlternativeFormats

UseStyleswhenavailable• Screen readers tag the styles which makes the document more intuitive.

Formatlayoutratherthanusingspaces&returns

• Screen readers “read” all those blank spaces

Alttagorcaptionallimages

• Screen readers can’t “see” photos, but will read alt tags and captions

Avoid“WordArt”

• It confuses screen readers – use text graphic image with an alt tag

PrintMaterials:Guidelines

MicrosoftOfficePrograms‐ AccessibilityCheck

File   Info   Check for Issues   Check Accessibility

PrintMaterials:Testit!

Alttagallimages• Provide description of image (not just file name) for screen readers

Makesureallnavigationisaccessible

• Use reputable brands of software and templates/themes• Use landing pages for dropdown navigation

Download‐ableDocuments

• Offer alternative format for documents that are downloaded from your site. 

Don’tforgettheBasics– theyallapply!

• Font size, color coding, color contrast, backgrounds

Websites:Guidelines

Whenpostingaphotoincludeadescriptioninthetext.

A brief description of the photo lets everyone fully enjoy your post.

SocialMedia:Guidelines

Avoidtextimages– orincludeimagetextinposttext.A screen reader reads the text of your post, but not text within an image. Which one is more accessible?

More SocialMedia:Guidelines

UseTemplateFormats• Use styles (headings, body, etc)• Avoid added spaces and returns

Useuniquetitleforeachslide

• Can number the slides• Can include “invisible text” to differentiate

UseAlttagsforphotos

• So that screen readers will “see” them.

Don’tforgettheBasics– theyallapply!

• Font size, color coding, color contrast, backgrounds

Presentations:Guidelines

MicrosoftPowerPoint‐ Slideorder

Home   Arrange Selection Pane

Presentations:Testit!

Captioning• Always caption your videos for people who can’t access audio• Beware: Don’t use auto‐captioning – it’s bad!• When captioning, add tags to identify who’s speaking

AudioDescriptions

• Audio descriptions can be added to (or over) audio track to describe what’s happening

Videos:Guidelines

Surely, the BBC, did not announce the Chinese New Year as “The Year of the Whores” but that’s how the auto‐captioning interpreted it.

Videos:Auto‐CaptioningGoneBad!

Bealeaderininclusiveness• Lead by example• Raise the bar

Youwon’tgetitrighteverytime– it’sokay

• Do your best• Learn from your mistakes

AccessibleContentTryit...Everyonewilllikeit!

Resources&ReferencesHandout

Google

DisabilityNetworkSouthwestMichiganDale Abbott Michele McGowenDonor Relations & Program Manager, Advocacy & Communications Specialist Community Education Programsabbottd@dnswm.org mcgowenm@dnswm.org269‐345‐1516 x123 269‐345‐1516 x116

www.dnswm.org

Resources