Creating accessible communications is no longer an optional extra but a business necessity.With so many rules and regulations, it can feel like an insurmountable challenge, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Overlooking accessibility can be expensive, but integrating it from the start amplifies reach and saves money in the long run. Accessible communications expand audiences, boost sales, protect reputations and ensure everyone can access information without exclusion. This practical and easy-to-follow guide ensures mid-level communicators feel confident in creating truly accessible communications across various formats, from emails and documents to videos and social. With the emphasis on practical content examples that professionals encounter daily and a holistic approach, this book will become the ultimate companion to anyone looking to communicate information effectively. Whether that's internal communications for colleagues or external messages for customers, suppliers, shareholders or other stakeholders.
Written by two leading communications consultants who provide in-depth coverage of evolving legislation in the area and a forward-looking approach that goes beyond compliance and looks towards clarity and inclusivity, this book equips communicators to develop communications that build business reputation and consumer trust. With real-world examples, this book ensures that all communications are inclusive and effective.
Understand how to design inclusive and accessible communications that meet legislative standards and work for everyone.
Chapter - 00: Preface
Section - ONE: Laying the Groundwork: Understanding the Fundamentals of
Accessibility, Legislation and Building an Accessible Culture
Chapter - 01: The Foundation: Understanding the Basics of Accessibility and
Disability
Chapter - 02: What You Need to Know to Be Compliant: Standards, Guidelines
and Laws
Chapter - 03: Creating a Strategic Cultural Shift Towards Accessibility
Section - TWO: Putting it Together: A Practical Guide on Embedding
Accessibility into Your Workflow
Chapter - 04: Creating Content with Plain and Inclusive Language in Mind
Chapter - 05: Writing for and Creating an Accessible Web Presence The
Basics
Chapter - 06: Getting Started with Accessible Documents
Chapter - 07: Creating Accessible Social Media Content
Chapter - 08: Making Videos and Podcasts for Everyone
Section - THREE: Looking Toward the Future
Chapter - 09: Future Challenges and Opportunities: How to Stay Ahead of the
Curve
Chapter - 10: Checklists
Lisa Riemers is an independent communications consultant and accessibility advocate who helps clients connect their people and tell their stories. Based in London, UK Lisa advises large and complex organisations including world-leading universities, charities, insurers, business-to-business (B2B) companies and the UK government.
Matisse Hamel-Nelis is an award-winning communications and digital accessibility consultant and a PR professor at Durham College. Based in Toronto, Canada, she also founded and hosts the PR & Lattes podcast and is the past Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
