Accessible Content. Make sure your message reaches everyone!

Transcription

1 Accessible Content Make sure your message reaches everyone!

2 Disability Network Southwest Michigan We educate and connect people with disabilities to resources while advocating social change.

3 What is Accessible Content?

4 Accessible content benefits everyone Current and potential board members, funders, volunteers, donors, clients, community members & job applicants

5 Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA ensures equal access to all areas of community life including equal access to information

6 Why it s important to offer accessible content? 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 lastminute 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

7 Making the Shift How and When to Ask On Print (or download) document: This document is available in alternative format upon request. Presentation Materials, ask on the invitation or registration: To request an accommodation, contact Dale Abbott at

8 Accessible Content: The Basics Some rules for accessible content apply to all formats and are basic good design and good communication! Font selection High contrast Appropriate use of color Avoid busy backgrounds

9 Basic Guidelines Font Consideration 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.

10 Basic Guidelines Font Examples Your end goal is to communicate. Don t compromise readability for fun or fancy fonts just because you like them.

11 Basic Guidelines Color/Contrast Consideration 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!

12 Basic Guidelines Color/Contrast Examples

13 Basic Guidelines Color Coding Consideration Don t use color ONLY to differentiate information. Consider these two examples which one fully communicates the information to people of all abilities?

14 Basic Guidelines Background Consideration Avoid busy or image backgrounds behind text.

15 Print Materials: Alternative Formats Varying reasons why alternative format is needed and they aren t all obvious Blind or low vision disability Print disability Some alternative format options Electronic (pdf, Word Doc, etc.) Large print (18pt font) Braille Text to Audio

16 Print Materials: Guidelines Use Styles when available Screen readers tag the styles which makes the document more intuitive. Format layout rather than using spaces & returns Screen readers read all those blank spaces Alt tag or caption all images Screen readers can t see photos, but will read alt tags and captions Avoid Word Art It confuses screen readers use text graphic image with an alt tag

17 Print Materials: Test it! Microsoft Office Programs Accessibility Check File Info Check for Issues Check Accessibility

18 Websites: Guidelines Alt tag all images Provide description of image (not just file name) for screen readers Make sure all navigation is accessible Use reputable brands of software and templates/themes Use landing pages for dropdown navigation Download able Documents Offer alternative format for documents that are downloaded from your site. Don t forget the Basics they all apply! Font size, color coding, color contrast, backgrounds

19 Social Media: Guidelines When posting a photo include a description in the text. A brief description of the photo lets everyone fully enjoy your post.

20 More Social Media: Guidelines Avoid text images or include image text in post text. A screen reader reads the text of your post, but not text within an image. Which one is more accessible?

21 Presentations: Guidelines Use Template Formats Use styles (headings, body, etc) Avoid added spaces and returns Use unique title for each slide Can number the slides Can include invisible text to differentiate Use Alt tags for photos So that screen readers will see them. Don t forget the Basics they all apply! Font size, color coding, color contrast, backgrounds

22 Presentations: Test it! Microsoft PowerPoint Slide order Home Arrange Selection Pane

23 Videos: Guidelines 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 Audio Descriptions Audio descriptions can be added to (or over) audio track to describe what s happening

24 Videos: Auto Captioning Gone Bad! 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.

25 Accessible Content Try it... Everyone will like it! Be a leader in inclusiveness Lead by example Raise the bar You won t get it right every time it s okay Do your best Learn from your mistakes

26 Resources Resources & References Handout Google Disability Network Southwest Michigan Dale Abbott Michele McGowen Donor Relations & Program Manager, Advocacy & Communications Specialist Community Education Programs x x116