25 accessibility tips for 2025
So that you don't have to say, "I don't know how to make my content accessible"
Hiya! Happy New Year - I hope that 2025 has kicked off well for you!
As promised in November, I’ll be conducting a free training on the accurate framing of disability in storytelling on 22nd January at 7 pm Indian Standard Time (GMT+5:30). All subscribers are welcome to attend. Please hit reply for a link to the event.
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For all those who are new here, I’m Priti, an independent storyteller, journalist, researcher, trainer and the creator of this newsletter.
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Today’s newsletter is packed with practical accessibility tips for various scenarios. Integrate them into your work one step at a time to make it more inclusive. Of course, in no way is this an exhaustive list, but keep reading Reframing Disability to learn something new each time. I’ve learnt many of these over the past year putting together this newsletter. Write back to share what you learned!
Social media
Use camelCase or PascalCase hashtags: camelCase is a way of writing words in a compound phrase so that the first letter of each word, excluding the first word, is capitalised. When you use camelCase in your hashtag, it becomes easier to distinguish between words. For example, #callMeLater, instead of #callmelater. Which one reads better?
PascalCase is another way in which the first letter of each word, including the first word, is capitalised, this way: #CallMeLater.
People who are blind and have low vision use a screen reader, an assistive software that reads text out loud on their phones, tablets and computers. Without camelCase or PascalCase, screen readers are often unable to recognise phrases with hashtags and cannot read them. Using camelCase or PascalCase hashtags is perhaps the simplest step for social media accessibility. It will not only make your social media posts accessible to screen reader users, but also to people with dyslexia who struggle with forming and recognising words, people with low language literacy, cognitive impairments, and anyone who likes a smooth reading experience.
Use alt-text for images: Social media platforms allow the addition of alt-text to uploaded images. Alt-text is a description of the contents of the image for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. In WhatsApp chats, write the description below the image. (Resource for writing alt-text).
Use emojis sparingly: Again, for the sake of screen reader users and those who may lose focus easily, do not bombard people with emojis. One or two that add value to your message should be enough in a post.
Pick emojis over emoticons, because screen readers read emoticons as punctuation marks. For example, -:) will be read as a semi-colon and parenthesis.
Closed captions: When sharing video content, add closed captions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s easy, especially on Instagram and Facebook which generate automatic captions that just need a bit of editing for accuracy.
Visual descriptions As platforms don’t allow audio descriptions, a visual narrative of the shared video in your post would make it accessible for blind and visually impaired screen reader users.
Trigger warning: When sharing sensitive content on violence, abuse, suicide, addiction, etc., provide a trigger warning so that people can make a call on whether or not to consume the content.
Clear and simple language: Avoid jargon and use clear and straightforward language to convey your message.
WhatsApp
Provide a gist and share intent: When sharing posts in different languages in a group, provide a gist of the content. It’s human tendency to ignore messages that need translation. Shared content would also make more sense to other members if you added a comment about why you’re sharing it.
Avoid flashing media: Steer clear of sending media with flashing or strobing, for the sake of individuals who have photosensitivity. This includes emojis and GIFs.
Use voice messages considerately: While voice messages are accessible to many, and preferable to some blind folx, they can be challenging for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Provide a text summary or a transcript for voice messages.
Events
To be truly inclusive and facilitate richer conversations and build community, invite diverse speakers, diverse audiences, and plan diverse content. Remove barriers to attendance by providing need-based scholarships, travel grants, and subsidised tickets, for those who might benefit from it.
Leave the first few rows in the auditorium vacant for easy movement of wheelchair users.
To escape the chaos, have separate food counters for people with disabilities for easy access, with low tables for wheelchair users.
Set up a ‘silent’ room for people with sensory overload and anyone who wants to take a break from the crowd.
Recruitment
To recruit disabled journalists, highlight diversity hiring practices in job postings with inclusive language like “people with different abilities are encouraged to apply”.
Offer accessible alternatives for interviews, such as online options or allowing candidates to choose venues.
Proactively seek disabled individuals through universities, support organisations, or by providing entry-level opportunities like internships and fellowships.
Consider intersectionality within disability hiring by considering caste, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Hold outreach or Q&A sessions about the opportunity so that applicants can ask questions about the role and learn more about your organisation and its values. It makes sense to begin and continue relationship-building processes before and after you need to advertise jobs, so that you are visibly proactive and engaged with the process, and show a commitment to making your recruitment inclusive.
Reporting
Ask your interview subjects about accommodation needs, and make sure they are aware of the interview process. “Every person with a chronic illness or disability has a different need or accommodation,” says Joanne Fitzgerald in this guide by Julia Metreaux.
“Be flexible with interview formats, deadlines, and be willing to adjust or offer alternatives. Because people with chronic illness or disabilities may have flare-ups, the initially agreed upon dates or formatting might no longer work.” — Michelle Young.
Making online meetings accessible to neurodivergent people.
Send out a clear outline of the agenda of your online meetings in advance to the participants.
Prepare a structured programme of your meeting and read it out before you start.
Ensure that the structured programme includes the names of the speakers and the time designated to each.
Include house rules such as raising your hand to ask a question or putting your questions in the chat.
Read
I love how Meryl Evans articulates everything about disability. Her LinkedIn post has 10 tips for being a disability ally including understanding that disabilities are a spectrum, being careful with "you're so inspiring”, and my favourite, “avoiding assumptions”.
Watch
If you have never heard Aradhana Lal talk about inclusion at Lemon Tree Hotels, this is your chance. Watch/listen to her talk passionately about disability inclusion in the workplace. Adding to the fantastic conversation are Arva Merchant, Madhavi Latha, Ananya Sharma, Aradhana Lal, and Zoya. (Panel discussion starts at 36 mins)
Listen
This BBC piece features TV BRA in Norway whose fortnightly national news show is presented by reporters who have learning disabilities or are autistic. Through interviews with politicians and other authority figures, the station aims to hold the powerful to account, while also changing the way people with learning disabilities are seen.
Opportunities
School of Sanity workshops
Register for four amazing workshops by the School Of Sanity, conducted by Tanmoy, a friend of Reframing Disability.
Call for women entrepreneurs with disabilities in Nepal
The Impact Hub’s BEAM program is looking for cis/trans women with disabilities running a startup or MSME in The Kathmandu Valley for a 6-month incubation program to grow their business.
Deadline: 13th Jan 2025
Accessibility Consultant in Nepal
Also a role for Impact Hub Kathmandu.
Deadline: 14th January 2025
Thanks for reading this far. Keep writing and don’t forget to fill out the 5-minute survey to help me serve you better. Connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Until next time.
Warmly,
Priti
As always every newsletter is packed with a lot of resources and connects. Thank you!