10 Essential Tips for Accessibility and Inclusion in Online Communities

Introduction

Did you know that over 1 billion people globally experience some form of disability? That’s every one in six people identifying with some type of disability, according to the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health). If you're in an online community, the truth is, you probably don't know (unless they've told you) how many of your fellow community members are disabled.

As someone who has studied accessibility in online communities for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how inclusive design can transform digital spaces. Yet, most online spaces—where so much of our work, play, and connection now happen—remain inaccessible to many. This oversight doesn’t just exclude disabled users; it limits the full potential of communities to be vibrant, diverse, and welcoming.

It’s also critical to recognize that accessibility intersects with other forms of inclusion. Disability doesn’t exist in isolation—it intersects with other identities like race, gender, and socioeconomic status, making accessibility and inclusion essential for creating equitable online communities. This means that efforts to make online spaces accessible can’t stop at disability alone. For example, racial justice is integral to accessibility because systemic barriers often compound to exclude people at these intersections. Understanding and addressing these complexities makes communities not just accessible but truly equitable.

Whether you’re managing a fandom group, a professional forum, or a creative network, ensuring accessibility in your online community isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential. Disability comes in all shapes and sizes, requiring a deep understanding and flexibility in creating accessible spaces. Here are 10 actionable tips to start your community on the journey to creating truly inclusive online spaces.

1. Write Effective Alt Text for Accessible Online Communities

Alt text ensures that users relying on screen readers can understand visual content, making it a crucial component of digital accessibility. When writing alt text:

• Be descriptive but concise. Example: “A group of fans holding a BTS banner at a concert” instead of “image123.jpg.”
• Focus on the essential details—what’s important for context or meaning?

Alt text has often been popularized as a way to boost SEO, making content more discoverable. However, this focus has sometimes sidelined its primary purpose: ensuring accessibility for individuals who rely on screen readers. In some cases, prioritizing SEO can even lead to alt text that is unhelpful or confusing for users with disabilities. Alt text also supports inclusivity by allowing non-native speakers or individuals unfamiliar with cultural contexts to better understand visuals.

2. Use Captions and Transcripts to Make Content Accessible to All

Video and audio content are major components of online interaction, yet they’re often inaccessible to users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or encounter other accessibility barriers. To fix this:

• Use closed captions for video content. Tools like YouTube’s auto-captioning can help, but always edit for accuracy.
• Provide transcripts for podcasts, webinars, and live audio sessions (and many programs have the ability to provide transcriptions built in!).

Clear, accurate captions also benefit non-native speakers, neurodivergent individuals who process information better with text, users in noisy or quiet environments, and those unfamiliar with idiomatic expressions or accents, helping bridge cultural gaps.

3. Choose Readable Fonts and Colors to Welcome All Users

• For images containing text, provide a plain text version to ensure the information is accessible to users who rely on screen readers or have difficulty reading stylized text. This also helps if the image fails to load.

Design choices can either welcome or exclude users. Follow these tips for better readability:

• Use sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana, which are easier to read on screens.
• Ensure sufficient color contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background).
• Avoid text-heavy graphics; use clear labels instead.

Free tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can help ensure your design meets accessibility standards.

You can read more about specific type font choices here: https://medium.com/the-readability-group/a-guide-to-understanding-what-makes-a-typeface-accessible-and-how-to-make-informed-decisions-9e5c0b9040a0

4. Use Plain Language to Improve Digital Accessibility

Keep your content clear and easy to understand for users of all literacy levels or non-native speakers. For example:

• Replace “utilize” with “use.”
• Break up long sentences into shorter, more digestible ones.

Plain language benefits everyone, including individuals with cognitive disabilities, non-native speakers, neurodivergent users, and people from diverse cultural or educational backgrounds, reducing barriers and fostering more inclusive online interactions.

5. Optimize Keyboard Navigation for Accessibility

Not everyone uses a mouse to navigate online spaces. Ensure your website or platform works seamlessly with keyboard navigation:

• Test if users can tab through links and buttons in a logical order.
• Use tools like Accessibility Insights or Lighthouse to identify barriers.

Keyboard accessibility is crucial for users with mobility impairments.

6. Avoid Auto-Playing Media to Support Sensory Inclusion

Auto-playing videos or sounds can disrupt screen readers, overwhelm users with sensory sensitivities, and annoy everyone else. Instead:

• Set media to play only when users click on it.
• Provide clear controls to pause, stop, or mute media.

This simple change enhances usability for all.

7. Use Trigger Warnings to Create Safer Online Spaces

Flag potentially sensitive content to give users a choice to engage. For example:

• Use “TW: ableism” or “CW: flashing lights” at the start of posts.

Trigger warnings create a safer space for users with trauma histories, sensory sensitivities, and neurodivergent individuals who may need additional preparation before engaging with certain topics.

8. Ensure Screen Reader Compatibility for Digital Accessibility

Ensure your platform works with screen readers by:

• Testing it with tools like NVDA or JAWS.
• Exploring built-in screen readers available on most phones and web browsers, such as VoiceOver (iOS), TalkBack (Android), or ChromeVox (Chrome browser).
• Avoiding unlabeled buttons or dynamic content that isn’t announced.

Proper labeling and semantic HTML go a long way in improving accessibility, and testing with these readily available tools can make this process more approachable.

9. Foster an Inclusive and Accessible Community Culture

Digital accessibility isn’t just about technical design—it’s deeply tied to creating an inclusive culture. To create an inclusive space:

• Establish clear community guidelines against ableism, harassment, gatekeeping, racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination to foster a fully inclusive environment.
• Encourage members to use inclusive language.

A welcoming culture amplifies the impact of technical accessibility efforts.

10. Gather Feedback to Continuously Improve Accessibility

The best way to know if your community is accessible is to ask. Reach out to disabled members and:

• Invite them to share their experiences and suggestions, but remember, it’s not just about listening. Consider seeking insights from other marginalized groups, such as racial minorities, to better understand intersectional barriers within the community. Avoid using disabled community members as tokens for optics; instead, prioritize supporting and including them, even when it’s challenging.
• Involve them in co-creating accessibility solutions—or even better, let them take the lead.

Acting on feedback builds trust and ensures continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Accessibility and inclusion are critical pillars for fostering vibrant, equitable, and thriving online communities. By applying these accessibility tips, you can create more welcoming and impactful online spaces for everyone.

This is just the beginning of building truly inclusive spaces. In an upcoming blog post, I’ll dive deeper into trauma-informed community design—a framework that emphasizes care, respect, and resilience in every interaction.

What steps have you taken to make your community more inclusive? Share your experiences in the comments or tag me on social media! If you found these tips helpful, consider sharing this post with your network to spread the word about creating accessible online communities.

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