Thursday 19 May 2022 is the 11th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.
CREATING communications for everyone
It’s estimated that there are one billion people in the world with some kind of disability. That’s one in eight people globally who potentially may struggle to access communication channels and content. People have wide ranging disabilities and impairments and they aren't always visible. Sometimes people are born with these differences but they could also be temporary as a result of injury or illness.
What steps do you take to make sure your content and communications can reach everyone?
As communicators, it’s our responsibility to make sure that our content and communications are created for everybody.
From designing digital content with screen reader users front of mind, to checking colour contrasts, and adding captions to videos, there is so much we can do to make sure our communications never leave anybody out.
On this page you'll find a number of resources to introduce you to the topic of digital accessibility and give you tips and advice to help you make sure your communications are inclusive.
The CIPR team is also on a journey to make our communications and digital content more accessible and we are committed to continually learning and improving in this area.
resources
Disability Confident Guide for Communicators
This best practice guidance covers advice on appropriate and inclusive language, producing accessible formats, issues concerning legality, and general tips on delivering inclusive and diverse communications.
Download guide
Accessible digital communication webinar
Richard Morton, Head of Accessibility at The Cabinet Office provides an introduction to digital accessibility, gives an overview of the regulations you need to be aware of, and shares information and advice to help you make your digital communication accessible.
Watch Webinar
Engage podcast: Accessible communications
Zach Cutler, CEO of Propel, and guests explore the role PR and comms practitioners can play in helping businesses and organisations better understand, and think differently about, accessibility and standards.
Sharing their own lived experience, as well as tips on how to enhance practices and knowledge around accessibility, Zach is joined by Sarah Brown-Fraser, marketing and communications manager at Activity Alliance, Rachel Miller, founder of All Things IC and Jarrod Williams, communications manager at Bromford.
Play Podcast
sharing perspectives and lived experiences
Is PR about to take a wrong turn on the road to accessibility? By Sara Thornhurst for Influence
Message not supported: How communicators can make content accessible to all - by Joelle Awad for Influence
Why public relations should be more accessible - published by Influence
If you have a story to tell about accessibility in the PR and Comms sector, please
email our Interim Digital Content Editor, Martin Flegg.