Writing with
Accessibility in Mind
OIT Technology Accessibility Program (TAP)
March 30, 2023
Why is Accessible Content and Writing Important?
Why is Accessible Content and Writing Important?
Accessible content and writing reaches the broadest audience. It has two primary components: inclusive language and plain language.
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Inclusive Language
Start with a Global Audience
Write using a ‘global-first’ perspective where you assume every person on earth will eventually read your content.
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Use “Person-First” Language
Write content from a “person-first” perspective. This will allow you to focus the conversation on the reader, no matter who they are.
Always keep in mind that how someone speaks, understands, reads, functions or lives may change how they experience the world, but it is not their defining characteristic.
An example of “person-first” language would be to use “people with disabilities” instead of “disabled people” or “the disabled.”
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Inclusive Language Best Practices
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Tone
Ableism is a bias or discrimination in favor of able-bodied people. Be aware of the meaning or connotations of certain terms. Keep your content free of terms or phrases that might imply bias, and isolate or alienate your audience.
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Avoiding Ableist Language When Speaking About Someone
Affirmative Terms | Negative and Outdated Terms |
People with disabilities or person with a disability | Handicapped, disabled, impaired, crippled, afflicted, suffering from |
Person without a disability | Normal, healthy, able-bodied, abled |
Successful, Productive | Courageous, inspirational |
Has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) | Brain-damaged |
Person who is deaf | Deaf and dumb |
Has epilepsy | Epileptic; has fits |
Person with cognitive disability, learning disability or dyslexia | Retarded, slow, idiot, moron, dyslexic |
Person of short stature; little person | Dwarf; midget |
Person with congenital disability | Has a birth defect |
Person who uses a wheelchair or is a wheelchair user | Wheelchair bound; confined to a wheelchair |
Has a mental health condition, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. | Is bipolar, manic, depressive, mentally ill, crazy, insane, nuts, etc. |
Has autism or an autism spectrum disorder | Autistic, Asperger's Syndrome |
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Plain Language Best Practices
Plain Language is Useful for All Reading Abilities
Plain language is a way of writing so that more people can easily read and understand your content.
It not only means changing terms to simpler ones, but also simplifying and organizing your content so that it prioritizes the meaning and any instructions for your audience.
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Get Organized!
Organizing your content is important in breaking down ideas into well-structured, digestible information.
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Headings
Create your headings so that they provide scannable information that readers can easily understand.
There are 3 types of headings that can help with this:
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Headings
Create your headings so that they provide scannable information that readers can easily understand.
Be sure to use headings in sequential order:
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Topic-Based Introductions
Topic-based introductions can help give your readers context before providing details. Include 1 or 2 topic-based introductory sentences after each heading.
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Lists
Lists highlight a series of steps, requirements or pieces of information in a visually clear way. Use lists to help users focus on important material.
Outline necessary steps or processes in a step-by-step manner using a list format.
Lists are useful because they:
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Use Guiding Language
Guide your users through the content by using transition words or phrases.
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Create a Conversation
Speak directly to your audience when you can. However, know when a little formality is appropriate.
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Choose Words Carefully
Words are the most basic building blocks of written communication. Don’t complicate your written content.
Leave literary flair to novels and stories. Keep copy that is designed to guide or instruct simple and to the point.
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Design For Reading
Dense, cluttered writing deters people from taking the time to read your content.
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Design For Reading
Supplemental content, as well as imagery and graphic elements, can help organize and emphasize your content.
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Test Assumptions
You can test your assumptions about how you are conveying meaning and speaking inclusively.
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Questions & Answers
Thank you!
More Information:
Contact Information:
“One should aim not at being possible to understand, but at being impossible to misunderstand.”
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