
It is not enough to simply have a strong idea or a marketable product. To
stand out above the competition requires messaging that appeals to a
diverse demographic. Writing accessibly allows you to reach everyone.
What is Accessible Writing?
When writing accessible copy, there are two key elements I will look at:
The overall design and user interface (UI) also need to be considered but will not be addressed here.
This article from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) provides a good rundown of the barriers that various users can experience while navigating websites.
- Design
- Word choice and syntax
The overall design and user interface (UI) also need to be considered but will not be addressed here.
This article from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) provides a good rundown of the barriers that various users can experience while navigating websites.
Design
When writing accessible copy, I will
- Ensure that the background is appropriate for your audience and purpose without reducing readability
- Ensure that the font used is accessible to all readers on any device
- Ensure that an picture used has alt text accessible to screen readers
Word Choice
Accessibility extends beyond the visual aspects. The words we use and how we use them affects who is able and willing to engage with our ideas.
- Everyone in your intended demographic needs to understand your ideas. This can be accomplished by writing in plain language. Plain language writing is clear, concise, and targeted.
- For more information, check out Plain Language Association International’s breakdown.
- Inclusive writing is essential to accessibility. Inclusive writing should be welcoming of everyone in your target demographic and should be free of prejudice, gendered (except when appropriate), or colonized language.
- Accessible writing means clear syntax (word order). Incorrect or convoluted syntax can make text difficult for certain people, whereas clear syntax makes text universally approachable.
- Using tools such as the Flesch Reading Ease Readability Formula will help ensure the writing matches the reading level of your target audience.
These are just some of the approaches I take when writing your copy in order to help you grow your audience and grow your business.