How can you write accessible and inclusive content?

1 Use clear and simple language

One of the most important aspects of accessible and inclusive content is the language you use. Avoid jargon, slang, idioms, and complex sentences that might confuse or exclude your readers. Use plain and simple words that convey your message clearly and directly. Use active voice, short paragraphs, and headings to structure your content and make it easy to scan and follow. Use tools like Hemingway Editor or Readable to check your readability and grammar.

2 Consider different formats and modes

Another way to make your content accessible and inclusive is to provide different formats and modes for your readers to access and engage with your content. For example, if you write a blog post, you can also include an audio version, a video summary, or a transcript for people who prefer or need different modalities. You can also use images, charts, graphs, or icons to illustrate your points and make your content more visual and appealing. However, make sure you add alternative text (alt text) to your images and captions to your videos to describe them for screen readers and people with visual impairments.

3 Follow accessibility guidelines and standards

To ensure your content is accessible and inclusive, you should follow some guidelines and standards that help you create and design content that meets the needs and preferences of different users. For example, you can use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to check your web content for accessibility issues and best practices. You can also use the A11Y Project or the Accessibility Toolkit to find resources and tools to help you with accessibility testing and improvement.

4 Be aware of cultural and social differences

Another aspect of accessible and inclusive content is the awareness of cultural and social differences that might affect how your readers perceive and react to your content. You should avoid stereotypes, assumptions, biases, or offensive language that might alienate or harm your readers. You should also use inclusive and respectful terms and pronouns that acknowledge the diversity and identity of your readers. You can use tools like the Conscious Style Guide or the Inclusive Language Guide to help you with inclusive language and writing.

6 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?