Why Accessibility Matters… Even for Your Speech!

Last week, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games ended with an amazing closing ceremony!??

More than 4,000 athletes across 22 sports paraded down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in the city of light – in front of more than 65,000 spectators.

Talk about awe-inspiring…

It’s a beautiful reminder that all athletes… all people… deserve equal access and opportunity.

This goes for competitive sports… public services… workplaces… schools… and a million other avenues of life.

And it also applies to YOUR speech!

Today – with the help of DEI speaker Dustin Giannelli???? – we’re going to explore a few ways you can make your speech more accessible for ALL members of your audience.

The key to success in life is communication… and the key to communication is access. When there are no barriers to communication – or when we can at least limit those barriers – everyone wins.? That’s why accessibility matters so much.

Here are two key things you need to consider before stepping on stage:

??#1 Working with Translators

Have you ever given a speech when a translator was there… actively translating into sign language for audience members?

When you take the time to talk with the translator before your speech, it gives them time to prepare their own performance so they can do a better job of translating your message.

Dustin shared that not every translator is fully fluent in sign language, and they may need to check on special terms or signs they’ll need during your performance.

??#2 Your Performance On Stage

The way you move your body matters.? What you do with your hands matters.? The way you speak matters.?

Small changes in how you perform on stage can help people in the audience with disabilities better experience your presentation.? Tomorrow, I’ll share more specifics on the do’s and don’ts of your on-stage performance.

?? Read the full article to see all SEVEN ways you can create better accessibility in your speech. Free subscription required.

Making your speech more accessible for those with disabilities isn’t just smart business, it’s also the right thing to do!

Exactly HOW to Make Your Speech More Accessible…?

Here, we’re going to talk about some very specific things that you SHOULD do and things you SHOULD NOT do so your speech is more accessible for your audience…

This will cover everything from translators, to closed captionings… all the way down hearing loops and bean bags.??

Let’s go!

?? Introduce yourself to the translator and share any important terms or names that you include in your speech.

?? Check in with the captioning team (live or virtual.)?

?? Check with your event organizer to see if any special accommodations are needed.

?? Choose appropriate videos, music, or lighting effects.

?? Don’t talk too fast.

?? Don’t cover your mouth or turn your back.

?? Make sure your slides are easy to read for those who are visually impaired.

?? Be aware of ‘hearing loops.’

?? Make your website accessible.

?? Want details on each item?? Check out the full article and dive into our specific advice for what you should and shouldn’t do to make your speech more accessible. Paid Members Only

I'll see you next week for another round-up of our weekly content exclusively for professional speakers.

Remember, the advice that got you here won't get you there.

Andrew Davis