Go the extra step to ensure your digital content is accessible to all

In the digital age, church leaders are increasingly called upon to create and disseminate digital content ranging from newsletters and PDFs to social media posts. While doing so, it's imperative to remember that our digital congregation is as diverse as our physical one. 

Ensuring that digital content is accessible to all, including individuals with different abilities, reflects our inclusive values. 

Here's a guide to help church leaders design digital content that is accessible, engaging and in line with The United Methodist Church's disabilities ministry committee.

1. Prioritize readability

Did you know that font choices can affect whether someone can engage with content. The clarity of your content is paramount. The right font size and type can make all the difference to those with visual impairments.

• Font size: A font size of 12-14 points is generally a good standard for body text, with larger sizes for headings.
• Font type: Choose sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica or Calibri, whose simple and uncluttered design improves readability, which is crucial for individuals with dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
• Spacing: Do not stray far from standard character spacing. Increasing or decreasing it more than a touch can make reading difficult, even for those with normal visual acuity.

2. Pay attention to color contrast

Adequate color contrast ensures that text is discernible for everyone, including those with color vision deficiencies.

• Use strong contrasts between text and background colors. Tools such as the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker can help you choose appropriate color combinations. Plug in the color you are using, and it will guide you through the best contrast options. 
• Convey information that doesn’t rely solely on color. For example, if using colored text to highlight important information, also use bold or italics for emphasis. When designating information with color, use a black icon as well. 

3. Use screen-reader-friendly formats for documents

Many visually impaired individuals rely on screen readers to access digital content. Making your documents and PDFs screen-reader-friendly is vital.

• When creating documents or PDFs, use formats compatible with screen readers. For instance, Adobe Acrobat offers tools to check and fix accessibility issues in PDFs.
• Use headings, lists and consistent structure in your documents to aid screen readers and help organize the content logically.

4. Simplify social media posts

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging your congregation, but it must be accessible.

• Always provide alternative text (alt text) for images in social media posts to ensure that people using screen readers can understand the full content. It is fairly easy to add alt-text to Instagram posts or add alt-text to Facebook posts.
• When it comes to videos, all the social media platforms now have automated captions that you can turn on and off. In addition, you can add bigger, permanent versions of the captions to the video by using a stick on Instagram and Facebook or the captions button on TikTok. 

As church leaders, embracing digital accessibility is part of our mission to be inclusive and welcoming. By implementing these practices, you ensure that your digital content is not just a dissemination of information but also a bridge to connect and include every member of your congregation.