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A PROGRAM OF THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
 

IOM Blog

November 18, 2021

Ensure Your Website Is Inclusive and Accessible

Inclusivity is important and necessary when it comes to websites because it not only shows that your organization is listening and paying attention to societal changes, but it also showcases that your organization is willing to adapt to the needs of all its existing and potential supporters. Here are some ways in which you can ensure that your website is welcoming for all:

Pay attention to gendered language.

Pronouns are important, and so is acknowledging how someone you may or may not know wants to be addressed. You may even want to avoid outdated prefixes such as Mr. and Mrs. when talking about individuals and use the neutral pronoun ‘they’ when referring to someone you don’t personally know on your website. Using words such as ‘individual,’ ‘person,’ and ‘child,’ as opposed to ‘this woman/man/boy/girl’ also shows inclusivity and an open-minded stance toward gender.

Look for accessibility plug-ins.

If you are a nonprofit organization that supports people of various intellectual and physical disabilities, a good first step would be to ensure that your website is accessible to these exact individuals. Fortunately, cost-effective plug-ins such as UserWay now exist and they are fantastic at enabling all users with all abilities to follow your website’s content, whether it’s by making the font larger, using audio, or even color blocks. You can also make some of these adjustments in-house and go on https://www.webaccessibility.com to see how your website holds up in terms of accessibility. Catering to a broader population will help your website in the long run and will please your supporters.

Ensure representation.

Make sure that all photos, images, and videos include a diverse audience. This definitely makes all the difference when targeting different demographics and diverse populations. The same applies to any testimonials or personal stories you include. If your organization is in the disability space, for example, try to incorporate people of all races and genders when showcasing your services and programs. It’s a simple step but an often overlooked one.

Keep your copywriting simple.

Content on your website should never be overly complicated or filled with industry-specific jargon. Now is not the time to impress your audience with your range of vocabulary, but instead is a time to inform, educate if necessary, and get your message across. As a rule, the copy should be at a 6th-grade level. This will ensure that you will reach a wide audience and that most individuals will not feel intimidated by your organization.

Ensuring that your website is not only welcoming, but also inclusive, is beneficial and important for your organization- it shows that you care about all your demographics and that you’re fighting the status quo. Accessibility can also help your organization since it’ll boost your SEO rankings since search engines prefer websites with easier user experiences. Taking the time to see what improvements can be made is crucial for any organization. See what can be done to your website today.

 

Rebecca Teaff
Rebecca Teaff
Chief Executive Officer
Redstart Creative

Rebecca Teaff is the CEO and founder of Redstart Creative- an award-winning branding and digital marketing firm working with mission-driven organizations, particularly those in the nonprofit sector.

Noticing a deficit among small businesses and nonprofits working with experienced design and communication companies who understood their needs and constraints, Rebecca decided to start her own graphic design and marketing company focused on resolving that gap.
Redstart Creative was founded to support those who drive positive change in the world and are leading efforts for social impact and equity in their communities. As a woman-owned and operated business, Redstart Creative supports nonprofits and small businesses working in education, the environment, and human services.

Rebecca received her B.A. in Arts/Communications from Mary Baldwin College. The combined studies of design, marketing, and communications are the basis of her belief that design is a natural method of communication. In Rebecca’s spare time, she dreams up ways to more efficiently color code her calendar and spends time with her family – hubby, son, and two dogs.

To find out more about what we do and how, feel free to reach out at Redstartcreative.com

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