How can you make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible?

1 Understand the needs of your users

The first step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to understand the needs of your users. You should conduct user research, surveys, interviews, and testing to identify the pain points, goals, and preferences of your target audience. You should also consider the diversity of your users in terms of age, gender, culture, language, education, income, location, and disability. By understanding the needs of your users, you can design and develop solutions that are relevant, useful, and enjoyable for them.

2 Apply accessibility standards and guidelines

The second step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to apply accessibility standards and guidelines. Accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your solutions. There are several standards and guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your solutions are accessible, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) specification, and the Mobile Accessibility Best Practices. By applying accessibility standards and guidelines, you can ensure that your solutions are compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, magnifiers, keyboards, and voice commands.

3 Use inclusive design principles and practices

The third step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to use inclusive design principles and practices. Inclusive design is an approach that seeks to create solutions that work for everyone, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, and preferences. To do this, you can provide multiple ways of input and output, such as touch, gesture, voice, text, image, and sound. You can also offer personalization and customization options, such as font size, color contrast, language, and layout. Additionally, use clear and simple language, labels, icons, and instructions; avoid stereotypes; and test your solutions with diverse and representative users.

4 Learn from best practices and examples

The fourth step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to learn from best practices and examples. You can find many resources and examples of inclusive and accessible technology solutions online, such as the Microsoft Inclusive Design Toolkit, the Google Accessibility Resources, and the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. You can also look for inspiration from other IT professionals and organizations that are committed to making their solutions more inclusive and accessible, such as the AbilityNet, the Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and the Inclusive Design 24.

5 Keep learning and improving

The fifth step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to keep learning and improving. You should not treat inclusivity and accessibility as a one-time project, but as a continuous process of learning, testing, feedback, and improvement. You should also keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and standards in the field of inclusivity and accessibility, and adapt your solutions accordingly. You should also seek to collaborate with other IT professionals and organizations that share your vision and values of making technology solutions more inclusive and accessible.

6 Make a difference with your technology solutions

The sixth and final step to make your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible is to make a difference with your technology solutions. By making your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible, you are not only enhancing the quality and usability of your solutions, but also contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society. You are also creating more opportunities and value for your users, customers, partners, and stakeholders. You are also demonstrating your social responsibility and leadership as an IT professional. By making your technology solutions more inclusive and accessible, you are making a difference with your technology solutions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?