Inclusive design goes beyond being customer-centric; it encompasses the acknowledgement and consideration of diverse preferences, experiences, and needs. Adding only a few additional design preparation steps can lead to amazing advocates and avenues for positive brand feedback.
When a brand already has sustainability and equitable commitments towards their product, services and employees it will feel natural to showcase those commitments in your brand and marketing.
There are so many great examples from Fortune 500 to the Valuable 500. Brands that understand and empower inclusion and its power to innovate.
Neglecting best practices of inclusion not only risks alienating huge audience sects but also undermines the opportunity to build long-lasting loyalty among diverse user groups.
These concrete tips and links are here for you to utilize as value builders in your newsletters, social media, advertising, marketing, website design and print design for your small business or nonprofit. If you are interested in learning more or partnering with The Sage Mages contact us at thesagemages@gmail.com.
Prefer these tips on the go? Download the FREE and accessible one pager cheat sheet.
1. Assess and fix low color contrast.
Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to improve reading speed of words and concepts while preventing eye strain.
Color contrast checkers can quickly show if color hex code combos work. Don't know how to find a color hex code? Use a browser extension color finder like Colorzilla.
2. Research font choices.
Use legible fonts for both online and print formats. If decorative text is used, add it as plain text in the audience experience to retain context.
To quickly test legibility, stand 4 feet away from and see what is still legible. You can also trust companies like Google Fonts who have inclusion best practices.
3. Use image and icon labels.
Accommodate those with visual disabilities as well as boost SEO by using alt text (alternative text). It gives the ability for images, graphics, and icons to have a description in social media and web code.
No alt text option on social media? You can manually add an image description "ID" at the end of your associated copy.
4. Set up proper video and audio.
Utilize accessible video and audio players that can control playback, add captions, attach transcripts and adjust volume.
This gives a value add to your content by solving audio adaptation needs including hearing impairments.
5. Publicize an accessibility statement.
Explain your commitment to accessibility and provide contact information for users to report any accessibility issues. If you need an example, view The Sage Mages Statement or check the footer of your favorite go-to sites.
6. Review user experience to meet multiple preferences.
Plan an inclusive and inviting environment before, during and after an experience. It effectively improves physical and digital audience journeys as well as employee experiences. Find an accommodation cheat sheet at The Job Accommodation Network page.
Inclusive Design Made Easy
By following these six key steps, you can start creating an inclusive audience experience that brings people to your brand like never before. Have a more complicated inclusion project? Check out WebAIM WCAG 2 detailed checklist or set up a free project intake meeting to discuss your needs.