This Spring the PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) updated its Guidelines for Accessible Communications. They provide more detail on video and animated graphics, thoughtful use of language and representation, and hosting of physical and virtual events.
We talk about making our processes and materials more accessible and at times we even take steps on a specific project to make sure they are. But accessibility is seldom a core value that is delivered on. And yet the numbers of people impacted are staggering globally:
Over 400 million people have severe hearing loss. Nearly 300 million people are visually impaired. Nearly 200 million people have cognitive disability. People with disabilities make up 15% of the World’s population. People with disabilities control nearly $13 Trillion worth of buying power. Understanding the importance of accessible communications will force us as communications professionals to pay greater attention to engaging people with disabilities in our processes and materials. And accessible communication benefits all audiences, making information clear, direct, and easy to understand.
George Coleman, Co-CEO, Current Global, talks to podcast host Doug Downs.
Listen here: George Coleman podcast.