How do you ensure accessibility and inclusion in online community consultation platforms?

Selecting an online community consultation platform compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is paramount. Ensure adherence to standards encompassing text size, color contrast, keyboard navigation, captions, transcripts, and alternative text for images and videos. Utilize tools like WAVE or AChecker for platform evaluation and issue identification. This fosters inclusivity and ensures equitable participation in community engagement efforts.

The first step in conducting an inclusive online community consultation is selecting an accessible platform. Choose platforms that have accessibility features like keyboard navigation, colour contrast settings, customisable font size, and screen reader compatibility built right in. Think about websites that are dedicated to providing accessibility, such as those that provide alternate text formats and audio transcriptions. Steer clear of platforms with overly intricate layouts or multimedia that could impede engagement. Make sure the platform works with different browsers and devices to meet the needs of different types of users.

When choosing a platform, you need to consider who the platform is for. The biggest mistake I see companies make is choosing a platform that is "bright and shiny". Your platform needs to be functional for your audience. Understanding your customer avatar is key here. Most 3rd party platforms are already in compliance with WCAG; however, you want to consider other options for your user experience. Is your platform accessible to other languages and those who may have a disability? This is where I see the biggest gap when it comes to choosing an accessible platform for B2B SaaS companies.

To ensure accessibility and inclusion in online community consultation platforms, we implement several key strategies. First, we adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make our platforms usable for people with disabilities. We provide multiple language options and use clear, simple language to cater to diverse linguistic backgrounds. Additionally, we incorporate various communication methods, such as text, audio, and video, to accommodate different preferences and needs. Regular feedback from community members helps us continuously improve our platforms to be more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

The first step would be to conduct regular accessibility tests to identify and address any loopholes that may prevent individuals from using the platform. Also, using automated testing tools and involving people with disabilities in the testing process will enhance the user experience.

Offering multiple communication options is essential for inclusive online community engagement. Provide various formats such as text, audio, and video to accommodate diverse preferences and accessibility needs. Offer live interpretation, translation services, sign language, and Braille options for full participation. Utilize online surveys, forums, webinars, podcasts, chatbots, and feedback submission via email, phone, or mail to ensure everyone can express their views. This fosters equitable participation and ensures diverse voices are heard.

Your online community consultation should be inclusive. It should include video because captions can be utilized and text at a minimum. Great community consultation platforms will have the means to community auditorially and visually. You want to make sure that you aren't limiting your capacity with whom you can serve. A current trend that I am seeing in 2024 is that community consultations are being held in the metaverse. This is a creative, fun, and engaging way to hold attention and get feedback.

Providing multiple options is key to ensuring an accessible community and encouraging members with different preferences or backgrounds to engage. Use inclusive gender language, create different content types like texts, videos, and polls, and acknowledge members from diverse environments. Additionally, getting to know members who need assistance during in-person or online events will help you build an inclusive community and foster a sense of belonging.

It is also essential to make use of simple, clear language that is easy to understand for everyone, regardless of their education level or technical proficiency.

Designing online community consultation platforms requires cultural sensitivity, employing inclusive language devoid of stereotypes, biases, or offensive language. Utilize clear, simple language, avoiding jargon or technical terms. Tailor content and questions considering diverse stakeholder needs and preferences, including gender, age, ethnicity, religion, and location. This fosters inclusivity, ensuring all voices are heard and respected in community engagement efforts.

Your community consultation platforms should need to be clear on your mission, values, and purpose. One of the things that I see missing from community consultation platforms is their "origin story". Your "WHY" should be clearly articulated. Why? Because stories sell. People tend to invest in things that are in alignment with their core values. For example, if a single mom who was divorced created a community consultation platform that was a solution to making it easier for other women to launch their business with ease. More people who resonate with this story will be more inclined to sign up for said platform.

Before launching your online community consultation platform, put it through a trial by fire with the most diverse and challenging group of stakeholders you can find. Push the limits by including those with the toughest accessibility needs and digital barriers. During one intense project, we discovered major flaws in our platform's navigation for visually impaired users. We didn't just fix it; we overhauled the system to make it a beacon of accessibility. Constantly iterate and seek brutally honest feedback to ensure your platform doesn't just meet standards but sets new ones.

Start engaging stakeholders before the consultation begins by promoting your platform and offering clear instructions and resources. Provide ongoing technical and logistical support throughout the process to ensure everyone feels confident and empowered to participate.

Don't wait for the consultation to launch to start engaging stakeholders. Promote your platform beforehand and provide clear instructions and resources. Throughout the process, offer ongoing technical and logistical support to ensure everyone feels empowered to participate.

If you believe - do EVERYTHING possible to bring in everyone for whom your platform was built. Don't just promote your platform—make it unavoidable. Blitz every communication channel and make participation so easy it's almost addictive. Set up a support system that's not just helpful but heroically responsive. In a recent project, we established a 24/7 helpdesk that turned hesitant participants into enthusiastic advocates. Keep the community in the loop with rapid-fire updates and make feedback a non-negotiable part of the process. Show them that their voice isn't just heard—it's amplified.

Lastly, it is essential to actively reach out to underrepresented communities to encourage their participation. Use targeted outreach strategies to ensure that everyone has equal access to the platform.

Go beyond traditional methods and bring the future into your consultations. Implement cutting-edge tools like augmented reality (AR) to let participants walk through virtual spaces and leave real-time feedback. In one project, using AR transformed passive participants into active creators of their environment, driving engagement through the roof. Also, showcase powerful, real-life success stories that hit home, proving that their input has world-changing potential. Make them see that their participation isn't just part of a process—it's a revolution.