Digital Accessibility for Social Good: How to Make Your Organization More Accessible Online
10 Things Social Purpose Organizations Need to Know About Digital Accessibility
Accessibility is not just a benefit, it’s a necessity today. With about 16% of the global population experiencing some form of disability, it's essential that your digital presence doesn't leave anyone out. Yet, many nonprofits and social-purpose businesses overlook this critical aspect of inclusivity.
The Good Growth Company hosted a session called 10 Things Social Purpose Organizations Need to Know About Digital Accessibility to help address this.
The session was led by Jay Wall RGD, a creative director who has spent 15 years at the intersection of design and social change. He shared essential insights on making digital spaces more accessible for everyone.
Jay’s presentation explored the foundations of digital accessibility and provided actionable strategies to implement them effectively. It reinforced the idea that accessible digital experiences are essential to the mission of social purpose organizations.
With the rise of digital interactions, the need for accessibility has intensified, particularly for social purpose organizations aiming to serve diverse communities inclusively.
Accessibility strengthens impact, builds trust, and promotes inclusivity—a win-win for both organizations and their communities.
Key Takeaways
Below are a few key things that nonprofits and social enterprises need to know about digital accessibility.
Accessible Design Benefits Everyone
Accessibility supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by designing with the needs of marginalized or disabled communities in mind. This approach not only benefits those with disabilities but enhances the user experience for everyone. As an example, captions help people in noisy environments, while colour contrast supports readability for all users.
Accessibility Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Disabilities come in a range of visible, invisible, permanent, temporary, and situational forms. Designing for accessibility includes considering low vision, hearing impairments, neurodiversity, and more. Accessibility isn’t just for those with permanent disabilities; we all may require accessible design at some point.
Colour and Contrast Matter
High contrast ratios are essential for legibility. Aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1. Tools like the Color Contrast Checker help refine colour palettes, ensuring sufficient contrast in design elements.
Fonts and Legibility
Typography should prioritize readability, with sans-serif fonts typically being more accessible. Proper formatting for headers (H1, H2, etc.) and paragraphs ensures that screen readers can correctly interpret content. A clear hierarchy also benefits all users.
Inclusive Imagery and Language
Accessible digital content should reflect diverse communities. This includes using plain, respectful language and avoiding jargon. Inclusive imagery is also important, portraying people with dignity and avoiding harmful stereotypes.
Alt Text and Captions for Inclusive Content
Alt text and captions allow visually impaired users to understand image content, and videos are enhanced with captions. Keep alt text descriptions concise yet informative to avoid overwhelming users.
Web Development with Care
A well-structured website is foundational to accessibility. This includes organizing pages with headers, ensuring keyboard and voice control compatibility, and labelling buttons and form fields clearly. Jay suggested testing websites with accessibility tools like WAVE for insights into necessary improvements.
Accessibility is an Ongoing Process
Integrating accessibility into branding and digital projects from the outset saves time and money. Accessibility should be a continual part of maintenance to keep up with technology and content updates.
Good Design is Accessible Design
Jay debunked the myth that accessible design hinders creativity. Instead, he showed how constraints often inspire better design solutions, resulting in content that is both inclusive and visually engaging.
Accessible Across Platforms
The principles of accessibility apply beyond websites, extending to social media, email newsletters, and PDFs. Whether a document or a social media post, accessible content reaches and resonates with a broader audience.
Your Questions, Answered
Jay answered a variety of questions submitted by The Good Growth Company community. We’ve included a summary of some of those answers below.
Q: How can we advocate to clients or colleagues about the importance of accessible digital experiences?
A: Jay recommended linking accessibility back to the organization’s mission and reach. Highlight the potential for increased engagement and, where relevant, legal requirements.
Q: How can organizations frame accessibility as a funding priority?
A: Begin by understanding accessibility costs through research, helping you to accurately communicate its importance to funders. Frame accessibility as a strategic investment that advances the organization’s mission, rather than as an added expense.
Q: How can organizations standardize accessibility to ensure universal access?
A: Jay noted that while organizations have different needs, established standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set a solid baseline. These guidelines have three levels: Level A, which covers essential basics; Level AA, the widely accepted standard for most organizations; and Level AAA, which supports specific, advanced user needs.
Q: What should we consider when drafting an RFP (Request for Proposals) for an accessible website redesign?
A: Jay recommended clearly specifying accessibility goals in the RFP, like the desired WCAG level. Include a quick audit of current issues. Realistic timelines and budgets are essential, especially for complex projects with more functionalities or higher accessibility goals.
Q: Tips for designing for neurodiverse audiences?
A: Neurodiversity is a beautiful spectrum with various needs. Generally, limit visual clutter, avoid flashing animations, and use clear headings, plain language, and short sentences. Visual symbols and cues can help with information processing and recall.
Q: Are there specific accessibility considerations for document design?
A: The same core principles from web design apply to documents, too. For designing accessible documents, Jay stressed the importance of using hierarchical headings and logical reading orders. Software like Adobe InDesign and Acrobat can help set up accessible PDFs, but designers should ensure proper reading order and bookmarks to improve navigation for screen readers.
Q: How can we incorporate accessibility into social media strategies?
A: Beyond the accessibility of individual posts, Jay advised a holistic approach to inclusive social media. Use a mix of media, add alt text, and ensure workflows support accessibility-ready content like captions. To further improve readability for screen readers, use title case for hashtags, and use emojis sparingly.
Q: How do we balance accessibility and branding?
A: Jay emphasized that accessible design is good design. Integrating accessibility considerations early when creating brand elements—like colour palette, typography, and imagery—strengthens brand integrity and reduces the need for adjustments later on.
Accessibility Resources
Jay has shared a list of helpful resources related to digital accessibility.
Guidelines and handbooks
Tools
Fonts
Animikii’s research on Indigenous font compatibility
Consulting and training
Creative agencies
PDF/Document remediation
Looking for training or support with digital accessibility in your organization?
You’re in the right place. Connect with The Good Growth Company team for training, consulting or an intro to our experts.
If you’re looking for ongoing mentorship and support for your organization, you can also join our membership — the recording from this session is available there now.
