Making Your Communications More Inclusive to People With Disabilities

Professional communicators have a lot to consider when they create content.

As a result, they often neglect to think about whether our work is accessible to those who have disabilities.

In turn, those with disabilities are often excluded from fully accessing our written communications, videos, and reports.

The good news is that there are a number of simple things we can do to make our content more accessible and inclusive.

For advice, we recently spoke with Kelly Hessler, a D.C.-based disability advocate and a professional speechwriter who is living with muscular dystrophy.

Here’s some of what Kelly had to say:

Turn Two: What are some of the most common instances that you see in which communicators lack an awareness or sensitivity when it comes to being inclusive of those with disabilities in their communications?

Kelly Hessler: Society has come a long way when it comes to promoting inclusive language. Unfortunately, ableist language is so ingrained in our daily speech and thought patterns that it goes unnoticed — and often unchecked. (For the record: I catch myself doing it, too.) 

Rather than repeat harmful words, I invite communicators to check out the Disability Language Style Guide from the National Center on Disability and Journalism, which is available in English and Spanish. 

How are some ways that communicators can be more thoughtful about being inclusive?

Here are just a few things for communicators to consider:

• Write using plain language, which is more inclusive for a wide variety of audiences, including those with cognitive disabilities.

• Don’t hold stand-up meetings with no seating – you never know who has an invisible disability or mobility challenge.

• Make closed-captioning a best practice for videos and videoconferencing.

With the increased emphasis on racial/gender equity, are you seeing a similar trend with increased awareness of those with disabilities -- or the opposite?

Many in the disability community are frustrated by the quick move to remote work during the pandemic.

Is it a welcome change? Absolutely.

But it took able-bodied people fearing for their own health and safety to make it happen. After all, many employees with a disability have had their requests for remote or virtual accommodations denied for decades; many of these folks were even forced to exit the workforce as a result.

Now, advocates are calling on employers and businesses to maintain many “pandemic innovations” indefinitely, like curbside pick-up, home delivery, telework, virtual attendance at events, and flexible schedules.

What are some simple ways that communicators can keep those with disabilities top of mind when preparing and sharing communications?

This applies to more than just folks with disabilities, but here’s a simple way: hire a sensitivity reader.

Not only will your comms improve — you’ll also economically support marginalized communities. Win-win!