Supporting content is an essential part of supporting your learners and mentoring on the platform. It is vitally important when providing Live and OnDemand lessons, but creating them in a way that's accessible and inclusive can be challenging.
When designing your supporting content, be it a podcast, framework, link to a video or article, it's essential to ensure that they are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Here are some of our favourite tips on how to create accessible and inclusive content.
When creating your supporting materials, it's essential to use clear and concise language. Avoid using complex words and sentences that can be challenging to understand. Use short sentences and bullet points to make your content more digestible. If there is a lot of topic-specific jargon that will help the learner after the live/recorded event has finished, ease your audience into this as they attend more and more of your events. You can also use images, videos, and diagrams to make the content more engaging and easier to understand.
Inclusive language is a language that is free from bias and reflects the diversity of your audience. Use gender-neutral language, avoid stereotypes, and be sensitive to cultural differences. Consider using examples from a variety of cultures and backgrounds to make your content more relatable to a diverse audience.
Not everyone learns in the same way, and providing alternative formats can make your content more accessible. For example, provide audio descriptions for videos, transcripts for audio recordings, and captions for videos. You can also provide alternative formats such as large print for people with visual impairments. Reach out to your Mentor Success Manager if you need any help preparing this.
When creating content, consider accessibility features that can make it more accessible. For example, use a font that is easy to read, ensure there is sufficient colour contrast, and use descriptive links. Make sure your content is compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers.
Testing your content is an essential part of creating accessible and inclusive learning materials. Get feedback from your Mentor Success Manager, as they are not an expert in your topic, they will be a great starting point to see if your content is easy to understand, or from people who have different learning styles from you. Use their feedback to make improvements and ensure that your content is accessible to everyone.
Creating accessible and inclusive learning content requires careful consideration of your audience's needs. Use clear and concise language, and inclusive language, provide alternative formats, consider accessibility features, and test your content. By following these tips, you can create content that is accessible and inclusive to everyone, regardless of their abilities.