As we prepare for our upcoming SWPACA conference, we encourage everyone to consider the following best practices to ensure inclusive and accessible presentations and sessions for all participants involved:
- Use the microphone (if available) when speaking.
- Ensure that your videos and audios are accurately captioned.
- Verbally describe visual content, such as images and videos.
- Presenters can start with a short description of themselves. During Q&As, participants can self-identify (name yourself) when speaking.
- Turn on live transcription in Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Design slides with:
- High-contrast colors, which you can check online.
- Large, sans serif fonts (like Calibri, Aptos, Arial).
- Share your presentation materials ahead of time or in easily convertible formats. These can be destroyed/deleted immediately after the panel. This might include:
- Providing access copies (either digital or printed) of your presentation with larger print.
- Sharing QR codes of your slide deck or images/media that others can access on their own devices and screen readers.
- Refrain from wearing strong scents, perfumes, or colognes.
Further Resources
“Accessible Meetings.” Section 508, https://www.section508.gov/create/accessible-meetings/.
“Accessible Slides and Presentations.” UCLA Teaching & Learning Center, https://teaching.ucla.edu/making-your-course-accessible/accessible-slides-and-presentations/.
