Ensuring our digital content is accessible and available to everyone is crucial. A number of our colleagues will be training on how to build accessible files to enhance the availability of our digital information.
When creating documentation for digital publication, we should take into consideration several factors and plan for a universal design. It is not only considered best practice, but also the right thing to do. LLCC is required to conform to website compliance standards as found in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The WCAG is an ISO standard and recognized as the go-to source for implementing digital accessibility.
What Is Inclusion?
To be inclusive means to embrace disability from the very beginning; from the earliest planning stages, to publication, to updates. It is important to note that one part of inclusion involves creating true accessibility, rather than simply providing accommodations. Accessibility should be built in.
Inclusive or universal design considers as many people’s needs as possible. Creating digital content with inclusivity, content should be accessible by a diverse range of individuals and designed to accommodate a variety of experiences and ways that individuals access it.
What Is Accessibility?
Accessibility is used to describe whether a product can be used by people of all abilities and making special considerations for people with disabilities.
People have a wide range of skills and abilities, so how people interact with technology varies greatly. For example, if you have low vision, it can be challenging to navigate a website that isn’t accessible. Similarly, following along in a meeting can be challenging if you have a hearing disability, or if you do not speak the same language as the person presenting. It is important for all products and devices to be designed with accessibility in mind so that people of all abilities can have an enjoyable and engaging experience.
Accessibility means having a place, environment, or event that is set up from the start to be accessible to all individuals. An accommodation is a change that is made so that a person with a disability can fully participate.
While accommodations will always be necessary in some capacity, universal designs and true accessibility lessen the burden of constantly needing to request and push for having access needs met.