How to Improve Accessibility with Digital Tools

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day everyone! It's a great day to remind people, that, accessibility is the responsibility of the whole team, including designers! A couple of things designers can do: - Use sufficient color contrast (text + UI elements) and don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning. - Ensure readable typography: support text resizing, avoid hard-to-read styles, maintain hierarchy. - Make links and buttons clear and distinguishable (label, size, states). - Design accessible forms: clear labels, error help, no duplicate input, document states. - Support keyboard navigation: tab order, skip links, focus indicators, keyboard interaction. - Structure content with headings and landmarks: use proper H1–Hn, semantic order, regions. - Provide text alternatives for images, icons, audio, and video. - Avoid motion triggers: respect reduced motion settings, allow pause on auto-play. - Design with flexibility: support orientation change, allow text selection, avoid fixed-height elements. - Document accessibly and communicate: annotate designs, collaborate with devs, QA, and content teams. Need to learn more? I got a couple of resources on my blog: - A Designer’s Guide to Documenting Accessibility & User Interactions: https://lnkd.in/eUh8Jvvn - How to check and document design accessibility in your mockups: a conference on how to use Figma plugins and annotation kits to shift accessibility left https://lnkd.in/eu8YuWyF - Accessibility for designer: where do I start? Articles, resources, checklists, tools, plugins, and books to design accessible products https://lnkd.in/ejeC_QpH - Neurodiversity and UX: Essential Resources for Cognitive Accessibility, Guidelines to understand and design for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD https://lnkd.in/efXaRwgF - Color accessibility: tools and resources to help you design inclusive products https://lnkd.in/dRrwFJ5 #Accessibility #ShiftLeft #GAAD

👩🦰 Persona Spectrum For Inclusive Design (Figma Kit) (https://lnkd.in/eGD38hs4), a wonderful little accessibility tool for designers to include permanent, temporary and situational contexts in design decisions. Open sources, with all illustrations and assets for presentations and print. By 🐝 Mahana Delacour. --- 🔶 1. Accessibility ��� Compliance We should never rely on automated accessibility testing alone to “ensure” accessibility. Compliance means that a user can use your product, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a great user experience. Manual testing makes sure that your users actually can meet their goals in their own context. It often feels daunting to get started, but small first steps are a great beginning. First, gather people interested in accessibility. Document what research was done, where the gaps are. And then try to include 5–12 users with disabilities in a dedicated accessibility testing. One way to find participants is to reach out to local chapters, local training centers, non-profits and public communities of users with disabilities in your country. You might want to add extra $25–$50 depending on disability transportation. Once you have access to users, run a small accessibility initiative around key flows in your products. Tap into critical touch points and research them. Eventually extend to components, patterns, flows, service design. A good target is to incorporate inclusive sampling into all research projects — at least 15% of usability testers should have a permanent, temporary or situational disability. --- 🔹 2. Building Accessibility Research From Scratch If you’d like to get started, I highly recommend to check “How We’ve Built Accessibility Research at Booking.com” (https://lnkd.in/eq_3zSPJ), a fantastic case study by Maya Alvarado on how to build accessibility practices and inclusive design into UX research from scratch. Maya highlights the idea of extending Microsoft's Inclusive Design Toolkit (https://lnkd.in/eN5J7EkJ) to meet specific user needs of a product. It adds a different dimension to disability considerations which might be less abstract and much easier to relate for the entire organization. And as Maya noted, inclusive design is about building a door that can be opened by anyone and lets everyone in. Accessibility isn’t a checklist — it’s a practice that goes way beyond compliance. A practice that involves actual people with actual disabilities throughout all UX research activities. More resources in the comments ↓

Oh, my GAAD! It's finally here! For those not aware, today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day aka GAAD. Here are 10 easy ways you can take action to make progress in accessibility and disability inclusion. It's OK not to do it all. The key is progress over perfection. Make progress every day. It's possible you'll go backward. It happens. Dust off and try again. It took me a bit of time to make things a habit, such as alt text, describing myself, and saying "This is Meryl speaking." If you forget, fix it and give yourself a little grace. If you see someone forget, educate them and give them grace. Pick one or two things. Practice them more than once. When you feel like you have them down, pick the next one or two things. Progress over perfection. Add image descriptions to images and describe them in context. The key is to be descriptive yet concise. There is no one right way to do it. Just start doing it. "This is [your name]" when you speak on a group call. Someone may be listening rather than watching. Create a transcript for your most important or next podcast or audio clip. It's important to format the transcript by creating short paragraphs. It's hard to read a big block of text. Add accurate plain captions to your most important or next video. Refer to the caption cheat sheet for more on this. Offer at least two modern communication options. This applies everywhere. You can require people to fill out the contact field on a form as long as you give them choices (email, phone, text). Websites need to provide two modern contact options. A fax number and snail mail don't count, y'all. Capitalize the first letter of each word and abbreviations in hashtags and usernames. It helps to do this for URLs, too. But some URLs may be case-sensitive. Test the URL. Use a free tool to check color contrast on your content and images. A lot of websites use poor color choices for the background and the text. It adds friction to the reading experience. Avoid ALL CAPS in all content because it has no visual shape and feels like yelling. Sentence case is the most readable. Add a blank line between paragraphs to improve readability. Avoid abusing emojis 👎 like👎 this 👎nightmare. Screenreaders describe the emoji. And it can be hard to read a sentence with emojis showing up in between words. Take action today! Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a commitment. Start with one step, make it a habit, and keep moving forward. Let’s build a world where everyone matters. Drop a comment with the action you’re taking today! Need guidance? I offer speaking and coaching to help organizations create accessible workplaces, products, and services. Let’s connect! P.S. Thanks to the American Red Cross for having me as today's keynote and prioritizing accessibility! 🔔 Tap the profile bell for more. ➡️ Follow #MerylMots to find content. #GAAD #Communication

I've seen so many posts being shared recognising and celebrating International Day of Persons/ Disabled People. Which is amazing! But sadly the vast majority of the content being shared is inaccessible. A day reflecting on equality and equity, but yet we're creating barriers that Disabled people. It's ironic, on a day of inclusion so many of us are excluded So please, if you are posting make your content accessible! Here are some tips to get you started: Image Description: Content Checklist. Six sections with tips read: 1. Message Body. Write in plain English. Use short paragraphs. Avoid using acronyms and jargon. Left align text where possible. Do not use a font generator, they are inaccessible for screen readers. 2. Images. Add Alt Text. Remember to keep Alt Text short and factual. Add an Image Description. Image Description is more descriptive and includes things like colour, texture, backgrounds etc. Any Text on a graphic or image should have sufficient Colour Contrast. 3. Video. Always use Closed Captions. These should appear at the bottom of a video. Use accessible Sans Serif fonts like Arial, Calibri or Helvetica. Include an audio description to describe what's happening in the video. Always manually check captions. Automated captions aren't always reliable. 4. Emojis & Hashtags. Don't replace words with Emojis. Don't overuse Emojis. Do use Emojis at the end of a sentence. Do use a capital letter for each new word in a hashtag. #camelCase or #PascalCase. 5. Check Colour Contrast here: https://lnkd.in/ecQAWnR4 checker. www.contrastchecker.com. www. userway.org/contrast. https://lnkd.in/exj-tFeV. 6. Add Captions Using:Youtube Online. CapCut Online. Adobe Premier Pro App. MixCaptions App. AutoCap App. Automated Social Media Apps. #DisabilityInclusion #IDPWD #DiversityAndInclusion #Accessibility

Most inaccessible documents aren’t created out of bad intent. No-one does it on purpose. They’re created out of habit. The good news is you don’t need to be an accessibility expert to help build a culture where accessible documents become the norm. Small behaviours, repeated often, shape organisational culture far more than policies do. Here are five simple things anyone can do, right now. (You can also find some further resources in the comments.) 1 - Build accessibility into your workflow Treat accessibility checks the same way you treat spellcheck. Before sending a document, take a minute to run an accessibility check and scan for obvious issues. When accessibility becomes a normal step in the workflow, it stops being an afterthought and starts becoming routine. 2 - Be an ally. You don’t have to personally need accessibility to advocate for it. Ask whether documents have been checked. Encourage colleagues to think about accessibility. If something isn’t accessible, raise it constructively, push back gently if someone sends you something that isn’t accessible. Cultural change often begins with someone asking the question. 3 - Learn the tools you already have Most people already have everything they need. Simple features such as document headings (heading 1, 2 etc), meaningful link titles, and built in accessibility checkers make a huge difference. Learning how to use these properly can transform the usability of a document in minutes. 4 - Think beyond screen readers. Whilst a crucial part of it, accessibility isn’t just about screen reader compatibility. Clear structure, readable layouts, logical headings, and descriptive links make documents easier for everyone to navigate and understand. Accessibility improves usability for the entire organisation. 5 - Automate your mailbox One simple trick is creating an Outlook rule that replies to anyone who sends you an attachment asking whether the document has been checked for accessibility. It’s a gentle prompt that helps build awareness and encourages better habits over time. Bonus tip - set the standard. If you want others to care about accessible documents, your own documents need to set the standard. When people consistently receive accessible content from you, it reinforces that accessibility is not an optional extra. It is simply how good work gets done. Accessibility culture doesn’t start with experts. It starts with everyday habits. ID: a Robbie Crow Purple infographic titled “Five top tips to build a culture of document accessibility”. It summarises the points in this post and full alt text can be found in the image. The graphic uses purple, pale yellow and gold branding with a “Progress Over Perfection” badge at the bottom.

Access to justice organizations present unique opportunities for technology companies. Some thoughts on effectively engaging with this impactful sector: 1. Prioritize affordability: Develop flexible pricing models, including sliding scales based on organizational size or client volume. Consider offering pro bono licenses to qualifying nonprofits. 2. Streamline intake processes: Demonstrate how your case management system can reduce initial client screening time by 50% or how your chatbot can triage inquiries, freeing up staff for complex cases. 3. Emphasize data privacy: Highlight robust anonymization features and compliance with domestic violence shelter confidentiality requirements. Detail your approach to handling sensitive immigration status information. 4. Design for accessibility: Create interfaces optimized for users with limited digital literacy. Ensure compatibility with screen readers and offer multilingual support for common languages in underserved communities. 5. Form community partnerships: Collaborate with bar associations and law schools to gather insights on unmet legal needs. This informs product development and builds credibility with potential clients. 6. Develop social impact metrics: Invest in analytics that quantify your technology's effect on case outcomes, time saved, or number of additional clients served. This data supports grant applications and impact reporting. 7. Address specific legal domains: Tailor solutions for high-need areas like eviction defense, debt collection, or public benefits appeals. Offer modules that incorporate relevant local laws and court procedures. 8. Facilitate knowledge sharing: Implement features that allow easy creation and distribution of know-your-rights materials or pro se resources, amplifying the reach of limited legal staff. The stakes in this market extend far beyond profit margins. By developing tools that expand access to justice, tech companies have the potential to reduce inequality, prevent homelessness, protect domestic violence survivors, and strengthen the very fabric of civil society. Those who successfully navigate the unique challenges of this sector won't just capture market share – they'll play a pivotal role in fulfilling the promise of equal justice under law. #legaltech #innovation #law #business #learning

Making workplace support easy to find A recent LinkedIn poll I ran showed that 45% of people were unsure who to ask or where to go for assistance in gaining adjustments or support in their workplaces. This highlights a simple but powerful truth that it’s not just about whether support exists, but how clearly it’s communicated and how easy it is to access. You may have some really good support systems but they may not be obvious or easy to find. Too often, employees only discover support options when they’re already struggling. Clear signposting can prevent this, helping people to thrive rather than survive at work. Here are five practical ways organisations can make support and adjustments easy to find and use: 1. Create a single, visible ‘Support Hub’ Develop a central place (intranet page, Teams channel, or digital dashboard) where all information about adjustments, wellbeing, and accessibility support is stored. Include contact names, request forms, FAQs, and examples of adjustments others have used successfully. 2. Use your everyday tools effectively Make use of existing software such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or Slack to share accessibility tips and tutorials. For example, highlight built-in accessibility features (dictation, screen readers, captioning) and how to activate them. 3. Map accessibility from door to desk Provide clear guidance about physical accessibility - good way marking such as how to find your way around buildings, quiet spaces, parking, toilets, and if there are sensory environments. Include visual maps and contact points for anyone who needs specific adjustments before visiting. 4. 'Normalise' asking for support - see it as optimisation tools for all. Train managers and HR teams to talk openly about adjustments as part of regular conversations for all and not only during crisis points. Build “adjustment check-ins” into one-to-ones or onboarding processes so support becomes a part of working life for all. 5. Share stories and examples Hearing from colleagues who have used adjustments helps to reduce stigma and increase uptake. Case studies, short videos, or internal blogs can demonstrate that getting support is positive and proactive not a sign of weakness and ideas can help us all. When employees know where to go and who to ask, they’re more likely to seek the help they need early. Call to action: 👉 How does your organisation show what support and adjustments are available and how easy is it to find? What helps you?

Lately, the conversations I have had with researchers in both market research and clinical trial recruitment have focused on how we can encourage more patients to participate. Providing a good experience makes a big difference, but is that enough? While chatting with Jerry Nicholson, founder of Accessible Data, I learned about a unique approach to making surveys accessible. Online surveys are everywhere. The main problem with conventional surveys is that they present questions in a static way which often fails to meet the requirements of the person completing the survey.  Accessible Surveys changes this approach. With this Accessible Surveys, participants use an on-line form to choose how questions are presented. As well as being able to navigate a form using their preferred screen reader, respondents can have questions signed or presented in an Easy Read format. They can listen to questions being read aloud and answer open ended questions by leaving a voice message. Accessible Surveys was developed in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance and its members and is being used by organizations such as Unicef and the Ministry of Education, Ireland to collect richer, more representative data. With an estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experiencing a significant disability, this is a great start to including more patients in research! What tools do you use to ensure accessibility? Drop them in the comments!

Accessibility Strategy for Organizations Just Starting: ➤ Begin with 3 simple accessibility actions each week. ➤ Ensure 1 of them involves feedback from people with disabilities—whether it's testing a product, evaluating a service, or reviewing communications. ➤ Engage with people from the disability community every day—whether online or within your team—listen, learn, and ask for honest feedback. Once you start building momentum: ➤ Scale up to 5-7 actions weekly. ➤ Make 3 or more of them proactive accessibility improvements—like adding captions, improving site navigation, or hosting accessible events. ➤ Keep community engagement and accessibility-related discussions ongoing, just like you’d maintain customer relations or team communication. That’s really all you need to start building an inclusive culture. Remember: Don’t overcomplicate it. Accessibility is a commitment. It’s about making sure everyone can engage fully—your customers, your employees, and your stakeholders. Keep it simple, keep it human, keep it accessible.

Accessibility in development isn’t about adding extras, it’s about writing better code from the get-go. Simple habits that can help are: ✅ Use button elements for buttons → <button> works everywhere, while <div role="button"> needs extra work (and often breaks). A button being a better button if it's a button, wow can you imagine? ✅ Label form fields properly → <label for="email"> ensures everyone knows what they’re filling out, including screen readers and autofill. ✅ Make clickable areas big enough → Small touch targets frustrate everyone, especially on touch screens. ✅ Don’t remove focus styles → If you hide focus indicators, keyboard users get lost. Instead, make them your own: design them to fit your UI and brand design. Don't forget that they still need to pass 3:1 color contrast. ✅ Test with a keyboard → Speaking of focus indicators: Can you navigate your site without a mouse? Well, have you tried? This is where the custom focus indicator will either shine or embarrass you. Good code isn’t just functional, it’s usable. And that’s what sets great developers apart. Accessibility isn’t an add-on, it’s what makes you great at your job.