Digital Accessibility & Inclusive Communications:
Guidelines for the water movement
September 13, 2023
Speakers
Tina Li
(she/her)
Climate Nexus
Jessica Jewell
(she/her)
Water Hub
Ayana Harscoet
(they/them)
River Network
Water Hub
Inclusive Communications Guide
River Network
Poll time!
How confident do you feel about identifying and implementing accessible, inclusive communications and digital practices?
Agenda
5 min Definitions
20 min Inclusive communications
[person-first + identity-first language, appropriate terminology, pronouns, clear language, ethical storytelling]
20 min Digital accessibility
[assistive technology, social media, email, graphics, websites]
10 min Q&A
Definitions
Inclusive communications
Digital accessibility
Effective communications practices that are respectful, accurate, accessible, and relevant to all
Tools & technology put into place to allow a wide range of users to easily navigate, access, and use websites & digital spaces
Webinar accessibility
Inclusive Communications
Person- and identity-first language
Person-first
Identity-first
Some people prefer person-first language because it emphasizes that a person isn’t defined by their disability.
Some people prefer identity-first or “proud” language because it centers their identity.
“a person with a disability”
“a disabled person”
Always ask someone about their language preferences before discussing their identities!
Appropriate terminology
✻ Avoid racialized metaphors & other identity-based language
blacklisted → banned
we stand with → we support
that’s crazy → that’s wild
✻ Interrogate the origins and usage of popular phrases
“Long time no see” and “no can do” originated as phrases to mock Asian immigrants and Indigenous people
Appropriate terminology
Always ask folks how they would prefer their racial, ethnic, and/or cultural identities to be described!
✻ Replace culturally appropriative language
Don’t use terms like “spirit animal” or “powwow”
✻ Always capitalize Black, Native, Indigenous
Pronouns
Ask for people’s pronouns and include a person’s pronouns in parentheses when first mentioning them in a caption, image description, or text post.
Clearly communicate the intended audience when you ask for pronouns so folks can decide what pronoun usage feels safest for them.
✻
Gendered language
Avoid language that defaults to a gender binary.
Try “chairperson” instead of “chairman,” “esteemed guests” instead of “ladies and gentlemen.”
✻
Clear language
✻ Clearly introduce acronyms before referencing them.
✻ Use simpler vocabulary and shorter sentences for clarity. Stay away from idioms or figures of speech that might be confusing.
language from King County Editorial Style Guide
Clear language
✻ Avoid using jargon, slang, or technical terminology unless this is necessary to convey information and the language is clearly introduced.
Clear language
✻ Use sections and subsections to break down large chunks of text and logically present information.
Clear language
✻ Use active voice instead of passive voice.
Ethical storytelling principles
✻ Move at the speed of trust.
Don’t just drop in on folks when a story is needed. Build a relationship before asking for someone’s story, and stay in touch with storytellers after and continue to maintain a relationship. This ensures the storyteller’s continued agency over sharing their story.
Ask why the storyteller is interested in sharing their story or what they hope to get out of the experience and prioritize these desires above organizational motivations.
✻ Prioritize the storyteller’s needs.
Ethical storytelling principles
Consider how the interviewer’s positionality will impact the storyteller’s sense of comfort, openness, and formality. Explicitly name the dynamics at play and emphasize that there are no expectations beyond what the storyteller feels excited about sharing.
Storytelling is mental and emotional labor and should always be generously compensated.
Approach the conversation with humility and an expectation of learning.
✻ Compensate storytellers for their time.
✻ Position storytellers as the experts.
✻ Acknowledge and actively disrupt power dynamics.
Ethical storytelling principles
❀
Trusted
Connected
Benefited
Represented
Compensated
from Water Hub’s Ethical Imagery storytelling guide
Ethical storytelling principles
✻ Find more guidelines in Water Hub’s Ethical Imagery storytelling guide and River Network’s Inclusive Communications guide.
Digital Accessibility
Types of assistive technology
General digital accessibility best practices
Social media tips
Alt text
Video captions
Adding alt text to graphics and photos in your posts helps screen readers describe the visuals accompanying your social media content.
Add text to all your social videos so people who are hard of hearing can also enjoy your content and engage.
Post dos and don’ts
“emoji colon clapping hands sign don’t emoji colon clapping hands sign overuse emoji colon clapping hands sign emojis emoji colon clapping hands sign"
Screen Reader Translation
Uses simple language, CamelCase hashtags, alt text, and high color contrast
Anatomy of an Accessible Post
Don’t: Emoji Overuse
Graphic design
Suggestions
Left Justified
Font
Makes text more readable
Use sans serif fonts for readability
Color Contrast
Makes text and visuals pop for easy reading
Descriptive Links
Provide users with an idea of where the link will take them
Clear Subject Line
Lets the user know what the email will be about
GIF Usage
Avoid using GIFs, use static imagery and graphics instead
Website
General Accessibility Principles Apply:
Page organization
Heading structure
Do not skip heading ranks
Headings should be nested by their rank or importance, with <h1> being the most important, and <h6> being the least.
Skipping ranks can be confusing and should be avoided. For instance, an <h2> should not be followed by an <h4>.
Using headings to organize pages can help users get a sense of how the page is organized and can benefit people who are using screen readers.
(H1) Digital Accessibility & Inclusive � Communications
(H2) Intros
(H2) Agenda
(H2) Definitions
(H2) Inclusive Communications
(H3) People-First language
(H3) Terminology
(H3) Pronouns� (H3) Gendered language
(H3) Clear language
(H2) Digital Accessibility� (H3) Social Media� (H3) Graphics� (H3) Email
(H3) Website
Other website considerations
Readability
Having a sitemap readily available on the website allows users to find the content they are looking for, especially if the site has complex navigation.
Making sure the site is easily readable and digestible is important for user experience. Avoid making content too jargon-y and dense.
HTML Sitemap
Thanks!
Please keep this slide for attribution