Accessible design is one that allows for all users, including those with disabilities, to engage in a presentation and understand (and/or interact with) its content. Even though we normally design with the audience in mind, Stephy says that very often people can feel excluded from a presentation due to Sight, Cognition, Hearing, Interaction or Technology-related reasons, or S.C.H.I.T. as she calls them. Accessible design removes those barriers and makes it possible for everyone to experience a presentation in the same way.  

“We simply need to design with our future self in mind” Stephy adds. That’s right. Each one of us has experienced some kind of temporary disability caused by super noisy environment, ADHD, sleep deprivation, cataract, a broken arm, glaring screens and even hangover (yeah, that too!). We’re also not immune to future disabilities, so Stephy suggests we start paying more attention to certain factors that make presentations work equally well for everyone in the audience.  

You should definitely hear Stephy Hogan talk about inclusiveness in presentation design, that’s why we’re not giving away all her tips (watch the whole session from the Present to Succeed Design Track). But we know you care about the topic as much as we do, so here are some of them: 

1. Be mindful of colours. So many people are colour blind. Stephy runs her colour templates through contrast-grid.eightshapes.com to check for potential issues. You could also use the Adobe Color Blind Safe tool. 

2. Make text both legible and readable. Legible fonts are traditional, and the letters are distinguishable from one another (you don’t mistake g for q for instance). With readable fonts there’s enough spacing between the characters and the reader can skim through text with ease. If you don’t have to comply with corporate typeface, use safe fonts because they’re universally used and highly readable. 

3. Put descriptive link text instead of just inserting the full URL. The latter is just combinations of characters and putting them in your presentation as they are contributes to nothing. Instead, type in a description and insert a hyperlink. 

4. Don’t forget about Alt text. Give images specific alternative text captions because those who have struggles reading use devices called screen readers. During the presentation this device reads the actual ALT text. In this way the visually challenged audience member can understand the image even without seeing it. Watch the entire session recording to see Sophy’s full checklist of alt text best practices.  

5. Don’t turn your back on the audience when you present. Simply because people who are hard of hearing or don’t get your accent need to constantly lip-read what you’re saying. 

The list goes on with Stephy’s tips on the importance of having an agenda sent out to the audience before the presentation and how to cover what’s visualised on your slides. Don’t miss this one as there’s so much to explore when it comes to inclusive design.