Accessibility
“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” ― Debra Ruh
Digital barriers can be exclusionary despite how technology works to connect us. The state’s accessibility initiatives focus on technology, ensuring that the information we share and receive is clear to everyone.
There are easy things you can do to create accessible documents, and host accessible meetings:
- Use a document template. Using appropriate headers and fonts makes it easier for screen reader programs to sort through your document, and helps everyone find the information they need faster.
- Use an accessibility checker. Our Microsoft applications have an accessibility checker that will let you know if your document doesn’t meet our standards and offer suggestions on how to fix the issue.
- Be conscious of color choice. Low-contrast color combinations can be difficult to interpret. You will risk losing meaning if you rely on color alone to convey information.
- Offer accommodations. When sending out a meeting invitation, inform participants that they can request reasonable accommodations and include the contact information of your accommodation coordinator. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to resources like an interpreter or screen reader service. Choose applications that allow for closed captioning when hosting virtual meetings whenever possible.
- Don’t rely on one tool. Color, sound, or font can’t convey messages alone. Always use a combination of these communication tools and offer other ways for teams to find and use information
Resources from the Enterprise
From Minnesota Management in Budget
From Minnesota Information Technology Services
Recommended by Successful Teams
