How do you ensure accessibility and inclusivity when using interactive tools in facilitation?

1 Know your audience

Before you select any interactive tool, you need to know who your participants are, what their expectations and goals are, and what challenges or barriers they might face. You can gather this information by conducting a needs assessment, sending a pre-event survey, or contacting them directly. This will help you understand their level of familiarity with the tool, their preferred mode of communication, their access to technology and internet, and their cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

2 Choose appropriate tools

When selecting interactive tools for your audience, you should consider the purpose and objectives of your facilitation, the type and format of the tool, and its accessibility and inclusivity features. Think about whether it is a web-based app, a mobile app, a software, a game, or a physical object. Check if it is easy to use and navigate, and if it requires registration, installation, or downloading. Additionally, make sure that the tool complies with standards such as WCAG, and that it offers options for text, audio, video, or image input and output. Ensure that it supports multiple languages, fonts, colors, contrast levels, and allows for customization and personalization.

3 Provide guidance and support

Once you have chosen your interactive tool, you need to provide clear guidance and support to your participants on how to use it. At the beginning of your facilitation, explain what the tool is, why you are using it, and what benefits it offers. Demonstrate how to use the tool step by step, including how to access, log in, navigate, and interact with it. If possible, use screenshots, videos, or live examples. Additionally, provide alternative options for participation such as email, chat, phone, or paper for those who cannot or prefer not to use the tool. Lastly, check in with your participants regularly to ask if they have any questions or feedback about the tool and address any technical issues or difficulties promptly and politely.

4 Encourage interaction and feedback

The goal of using interactive tools in facilitation is to create a positive and productive learning experience for participants. To do this, it's important to encourage interaction and feedback among them, recognizing and celebrating the different perspectives and backgrounds they bring. You should also adapt and adjust your facilitation as needed, monitoring progress and engagement throughout. Use the tool to collect data such as responses, ratings, votes, or time spent, and use this information to tailor your content, pace, and methods to meet their needs and expectations.

5 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?