How to promote inclusivity through digital communication
In this age of digital connectivity, social media platforms have become indispensable tools for driving social change and pushing the bounds of unthinkable thoughts. Digital media platforms have become central to exchange of information by enabling the connection of people and ideas everywhere across the globe.
In recent times, digital platforms have made significant use when strategically deployed can promote inclusivity through its various features that enable People with disability to have access to media contents. The interface is enhancing the user experience for all.
In this piece we will like to suggest the use of certain features to ensure everyone gets access to contents regardless of their disabilities.
1.Alternative text: “alt text” for short, is simply a descriptive caption that can be added to images or videos shared on social media. The target of this feature is primarily people with visual impairments who use screen readers to access contents online. When alt text is included, screen readers can convey a brief description of the image or video, providing context that may otherwise be lost.
Twitter and Instagram platforms had given users the opportunity to add alt text to their media uploads. This simple yet powerful function allows content creators to describe the content of their images in a few words. By doing so, they make their content accessible to those who rely on screen readers, ensuring that everyone can engage with and understand the message.
2.use of video content: There has been a surge in the use of video content on social media. No doubt this poses challenges for people with hearing impairments. This is where closed captioning comes in to play. Closed captions are synchronized text displayed on videos, providing a transcript of the spoken content as well as descriptions of relevant audio elements such as music or sound effects.
YouTube and Facebook offer tools for adding closed captions to videos. By doing so, content creators not only make their content accessible to the hearing-impaired but also improve the overall user experience by enabling viewers to engage with videos in environments where audio may be muted or inconvenient.
3.High Contrast Mode; this is another feature in digital interfaces and operating systems that can significantly promote inclusivity, especially for individuals with vision-related disabilities. High Contrast Mode is designed to improve the visibility and legibility of content on screens by increasing the contrast between text and background colors, employing bold, high-contrast color schemes, applying simplified design and adjusting text sizes in some cases.
4.Text-to-Speech (TTS) is a feature that promotes inclusivity in the digital realm by breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities, enhancing accessibility, and ensuring that information is readily available to a broader audience. Some platforms offer TTS functionality, allowing text-based content to be converted into speech for users with visual impairments.
The feature can read out the content of websites, digital books, e-readers and other text-based files. This makes information accessible to visually impaired people.
5.Screen Reader Compatibility: For individuals with visual impairments, screen readers are essential tools that bridge the gap between them and the online space. Screen readers are software applications that convert digital text and other content into synthesized speech. They allow users to navigate websites, read emails, and interact with various digital interfaces.
Digital platforms now offer commendable opportunities for promoting inclusivity through the incorporation of inclusive design features with far-reaching implications. Individuals with disabilities can actively participate in the online conversation, share their experiences, and access information and entertainment just like anyone else.
Inclusive digital communications not only fulfil a moral imperative but also expands the reach of organization’s communications, content creators to a wider and more diverse audience. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for social media platforms to maintain their commitment to inclusivity, making the online space more accessible, welcoming and safe for all.