How can you make your research report accessible to people with disabilities?

1 Why accessibility matters

Accessibility is the practice of designing and creating products, services, and content that can be used by people with different abilities, preferences, and needs. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement in many countries, but also a moral and ethical responsibility for UX researchers who aim to understand and empathize with their users. By making your research report accessible, you can ensure that your findings and recommendations reach a wider and more diverse audience, and that you respect and value the diversity of your users and stakeholders.

2 How to format your report

One of the first steps to make your research report accessible is to format it properly. This means using a clear and consistent structure, headings, and subheadings to organize your content and make it easy to scan and navigate. You should also use a readable font size and color contrast, and avoid using color alone to convey meaning or emphasis. Additionally, you should provide alternative text for any images, graphs, or charts that you use, and use captions or transcripts for any audio or video content. These elements will help people who use screen readers, magnifiers, or other assistive technologies to access your report.

3 How to write your report

Another important aspect of making your research report accessible is to write it in a clear and concise way. This means using simple and plain language, avoiding jargon, acronyms, or technical terms without explanation, and breaking down complex concepts into smaller chunks. You should also use active voice, short sentences, and bullet points or lists to make your report easier to read and understand. Moreover, you should provide a summary or an executive summary at the beginning of your report, and highlight the key findings and recommendations throughout. These practices will help people who have cognitive, learning, or attention disabilities, as well as people who are not native speakers of your language, to comprehend your report.

4 How to present your report

The final step to make your research report accessible is to present it in a way that suits the needs and preferences of your audience. This means choosing the appropriate format and medium for your report, such as PDF, HTML, Word, PowerPoint, video, or audio. You should also provide multiple options for your audience to access your report, such as downloading it, viewing it online, or receiving it by email. Furthermore, you should consider the accessibility of the platform or tool that you use to present your report, and ensure that it has features such as zoom, text-to-speech, captions, or keyboard navigation. These choices will help people who have visual, hearing, or mobility disabilities, as well as people who have different devices or internet connections, to access your report.

Making your research report accessible to people with disabilities is not only a good practice, but also a benefit for your UX research. It can help you reach more people, communicate more effectively, and demonstrate your empathy and inclusivity. By following these tips, you can make your research report accessible and enhance your UX research impact.

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?