In today's digital landscape, effective communication between customers and products is paramount. Any disruptions or inefficiencies in this conversation can negatively impact the customer experience. One crucial aspect of ensuring a smooth dialogue is making written content accessible to everyone. Here's why accessibility matters and what content strategists should know to create inclusive experiences:
Team Commitment KPIs
To achieve organizational success, teams need to commit to specific accessibility goals. Content strategists should be aware of the commitments required to enhance accessibility and remove any obstacles that hinder their efforts.
Core Responsibilities
Accessibility isn't an option; it's a necessity. Content designers must be well-versed in why accessibility is essential, regardless of their technical background.
Accessibility Target Policies
Understanding that accessibility targets are defined by enterprise policies and enforced by leadership is the bare minimum. Embracing accessibility as a customer-centric value can lead to significant product improvements.
Living Your Organization's Values
Accessibility aligns with ethical values such as respect and doing the right thing. Ignoring accessibility can breach these values and harm your brand's reputation.
A Tool for Innovation
Prioritizing accessibility from the start of your processes leads to more valuable products for your enterprise and all its customers.
Competitive Advantage
With 26% of the US population having disabilities requiring accommodation, designing with accessibility in mind can tap into a significant market and provide a competitive edge.
Avoiding Legal Risk
Accessibility is not just a best practice; it's the law. Incorporating accessibility into products helps enterprises steer clear of legal issues stemming from customer complaints.
Write with Logical Headings
Content strategists play a crucial role in defining a page's structure through headings. Proper heading usage provides clarity and structure to content.
Use Plain Language
Clear communication is key. Emphasize plain language in style guides to ensure content is understandable to all customers, regardless of their language proficiency.
Follow Alt Text Conventions
Precise alt text for images is essential for screen readers. Define alt text for images or icons that contribute to the content's meaning.
Use Aria-label for Unclear Interactions
Aria-label can provide context for ambiguous links, buttons, and inputs, aiding screen reader users in understanding their purpose.
Assistive Technology Basics
Content strategists should be comfortable with basic keyboard and screen reader functions, such as navigation and recognizing headings, links, and buttons.
Incorporating these essentials into your content strategy will not only help you create more inclusive experiences but also enhance your organization's reputation, innovation, and competitiveness.
Accessibility isn't just a requirement; it's a pathway to success in the digital world.