How do you create accessible content for all users on digital production teams?

One of the ways is to ensure that all interactive elements and functionality can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. Design your content to be keyboard-friendly, allowing users to navigate, interact, and complete tasks without relying on a mouse or touch input.

Start by evaluating your current content and platforms for accessibility. This involves auditing your websites, apps, and digital media to identify barriers that prevent access by people with disabilities. Use tools like WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) or AXE to detect issues with contrast, navigation, and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles. Understanding where you stand helps in prioritizing areas that need immediate attention and setting a baseline for improvement.

Prioritize Inclusive Design from the Outset The foundation of accessible content lies in inclusive design. Right from the project's initiation, ensure that accessibility is not an afterthought but an integral part of the creative process. Consider diverse user needs and experiences from day one.

Creating accessible content for all users on digital production teams involves prioritizing inclusive design principles and incorporating accessibility features such as alternative text for images, proper heading structure, and keyboard navigation support. Conducting regular accessibility audits and user testing ensures that content is usable by individuals with diverse abilities. Collaborating with accessibility experts and integrating accessibility considerations into the development process from the outset helps to cultivate a culture of accessibility within the team.

Getting Started: Educate team members on accessibility principles and guidelines like WCAG. Provide training and resources to integrate accessibility into workflows. At Work: Incorporate accessibility from the beginning of projects. Use semantic HTML, provide alt text for images, ensure color contrast, and test with automated tools and real users. From Experience: In my experience, regular testing and collaboration between team members with diverse skills are crucial. Document accessibility guidelines and foster open communication to address accessibility concerns effectively.

Understand Your Audience's Diverse Needs Accessibility isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. Take the time to understand the diverse needs of your audience. This could include individuals with visual or hearing impairments, cognitive differences, or those relying on assistive technologies. Tailor your content to cater to these unique requirements.

Creating accessible content for all users on digital production teams involves setting clear accessibility goals and standards. Consider the needs of your target audience, legal requirements, and industry benchmarks. Define criteria and metrics to measure accessibility performance. Utilize frameworks like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) to guide content creation. By integrating these practices, digital teams ensure content is inclusive and meets the diverse needs of all users, enhancing overall accessibility and user experience.

Educate Your Team on Accessibility Standards Foster a culture of awareness within your digital production team. Provide training on accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). When everyone is on the same page, it becomes easier to integrate accessibility into every step of the content creation process.

Creating accessible content for all users involves a comprehensive approach to training and empowering your digital production team: ?? Accessibility Training: Provide regular training for your team on accessibility standards and best practices. ??? Utilize Tools: Equip your team with tools and resources to test and ensure accessibility in digital content. ?? Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback system for identifying and addressing accessibility issues promptly. ?? Inclusive Design: Promote an inclusive design philosophy that considers a wide range of user abilities from the start. ?? Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing learning and stay updated with the latest accessibility guidelines and technologies.

in my 14 year career, One of the most significant actions I've taken is to educate and empower our digital production team on the importance of accessibility. Through workshops, sharing resources, and ongoing discussions, I've cultivated a team that’s not only aware of but also passionate about creating accessible content.

Creating accessible content involves thoughtful design and development from the outset: ?? Inclusive Design: Start with an inclusive design approach that considers a diverse range of user needs and abilities. ??? Alt Text for Images: Provide descriptive alt text for images to ensure screen readers can convey the information to visually impaired users. ?? Readable Fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read and ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. ?? Descriptive Links: Use descriptive link text that makes sense out of context, aiding navigation for those using screen readers. ?? Accessible Media: Include captions and transcripts for video content to cater to users with hearing impairments. ???? Consistent Layout

14 years in Digital have shown me that rigorous testing, both automated and manual, including the use of screen readers and other assistive technologies, is part of our workflow. Feedback from users with disabilities also plays a critical role in this process, offering invaluable insights that guide further improvements.

Don’t accept that the current applications you use and appreciate are accessible. Experience platforms the way a different audience would - spend time trying to navigate content through speech software and tabbing (as an example - there is so much content on this on YouTube if you don’t have the set-up to do it yourself), live the experience to understand where to improve and how to be inclusive.