Writing is a powerful way to communicate your ideas, opinions, and stories. But not everyone can access your writing the same way. Some people may have disabilities, impairments, or preferences that affect how they read, write, or interact with your content. That's why you need to use assistive technology to make your writing accessible to everyone.
Assistive technology is any device, software, or tool that helps people with disabilities or impairments to perform tasks that they would otherwise find difficult or impossible. For example, screen readers, speech-to-text, magnifiers, keyboards, and braille displays are some common types of assistive technology that can help people access written content. Assistive technology can also benefit people who have different learning styles, languages, or preferences.
While writing content, specially for social media or web, take these tips into account: - Use alt text for images. Alt text is a brief description of an image that is read by screen readers used by people who are blind or have low vision. - Use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon, technical terms, and complex sentences - Use headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings help to organize your content and make it easier to scan. - Use lists and tables. Screen readers can also announce lists and tables, which helps people who are blind or have low vision to access this information more easily. - Use consistent formatting. Use consistent formatting throughout your content, such as font size, font type, and line spacing.
You know how it is often recommended that you add Alt texts or even convert a readable file to an audio file; never skip that part. You might risk losing a huge chunk of the audience who could value your voice but sadly never got to hear it.
Accessibility is important for writing because it ensures that your content can reach a wider and more diverse audience. It also shows that you respect and value your readers, and that you want to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for them. Accessibility is not only a moral and ethical responsibility, but also a legal and professional one. Many countries have laws and standards that require web content to be accessible for people with disabilities. Many industries and organizations also have guidelines and best practices for creating accessible content.
If you have written an article on a social cause, for example - women empowerment, there would be a wide segment of disabled audience who could benefit from your words. Why would you not want to reach them? So, to cater to all kinds of audience, it is recommended that you follow certain metrics to make your content more accessible and voila - you just doubled the number of views!
Assistive technology can be a great way to write accessible content. For example, a screen reader can help you identify any errors or inconsistencies in your text, as well as understand the structure and formatting of your content. Speech-to-text tools can make writing faster and easier, while also improving your vocabulary and tone. A magnifier or zoom tool can improve visibility and reduce eye strain. Keyboard or mouse alternatives can help you control your computer more efficiently. Finally, a braille display or keyboard can help people who are blind or visually impaired write and read in braille, as well as learn and practice it.
You can use a text-to-speech app to edit and refine your writing drafts. Listen to your words to catch any grammar and spelling mistakes or clumsy sentences. Check your work for understandability by considering how easy it is to listen to without needing to pause or being confused. Think about these pointers: - Do you have long sentences where you lose track of the idea being communicated? - Are there any vague or ambiguous sentences? - Can you swap out any complex language for more familiar words?
Using assistive technology to write accessible content is not enough. You also need to make your content more accessible for your readers who may use assistive technology or have different needs and preferences. To do this, use clear and simple language, avoiding jargon, slang, idioms, and complex sentences. Make sure to explain any acronyms, abbreviations, or technical terms you use. Additionally, include alternative text for images, videos, and other non-text elements. This is a brief description of the content and function of a non-text element that can help people who cannot see or access the element understand its meaning and purpose. Furthermore, provide captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for audio and video content. This will help people who cannot hear or see the content to access its information and context. Additionally, use color contrast, font size, and spacing to enhance readability. This will make it easier for people with low vision, color blindness, or dyslexia to read your content more easily and comfortably. Lastly, include keyboard shortcuts, links, and navigation aids to improve usability. This will help people who use keyboards, mouse alternatives, or screen readers access your content more quickly and conveniently.
Additionally, use your word processor’s (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) headings styles. Marking your headings as such in your document will communicate your heading levels to a screen reader.
Testing and evaluating your content for accessibility is an important part of the writing process. It can help identify any issues or barriers that could prevent readers from accessing your content, as well as improve content quality and performance. Utilizing accessibility checkers and validators can scan your content for common errors and warnings, while user testing and feedback can evaluate how your content works and feels for different people. Additionally, analytics and metrics can measure content performance and impact, allowing you to track reach, engagement, satisfaction, and conversion. All of these tips and examples can help you learn and apply accessibility best practices and techniques, discover any issues or gaps, and optimize your content strategy.
One way to make your work more accessible is to use the built-in accessibility checkers within whatever word processing platform you use. Microsoft Word is the industry standard, and Google Docs offers a similar service. Alternatively, you can download a browser plugin that will check your website or other media for color contrast, text size, text form, layout, and much more. Have fun delving into a UX experience that isn't your own, and talk to people who see life from perspectives other than yours.
Undoubtedly technology exists to be of good use and many times it is of crucial importance to have diverse technical resources in order to offer excellency for any type of work. But writing is not necessarily a professional or educational task... it can be pure pleasure. Also, not necessarily texts are written for a specific type of reader. Let′s consider that literature can mean just the fun the writer finds when creating a text. Thus maybe we should think about who writes, why and what for before going into analysis about the use or not of assistive technologies. It is complicated to match technology with the pure sense of creativity. Art is free. And quite useless, according to Oscar Wilde, a real Master of the art of writing.