A roadmap to inclusive leadership: digital accessibility (key no4)

Have you ever wondered why some websites and applications naturally feel like a warm welcome while others are more like doors being slammed in your face? Well, the difference between them often boils down to our fourth key to inclusive leadership: digital accessibility.

As leaders, you probably spend a fair amount of time educating yourself about diversity. In doing so, you likely build empathy and hone your communication skills. But one thing that leaders often overlook or underestimate is the role played by digital platforms in making people feel included and recognized. This week, as part of our series on keys to a diverse and empowered workplace, we invite the unsung hero of inclusive leadership to take center stage. You guessed it, digital accessibility.

In this week’s post, let me introduce you to John, a people manager who’s as passionate about spreadsheets as he is about inclusion. John’s been in the trenches for years, figuring out ways to make his organization’s digital landscape as inviting as a well-placed welcome mat. John is a real guy dealing with real workplace challenges and even more real solutions to bring about inclusivity for his entire team and the audience they serve.

What John has discovered over the years is that digital accessibility isn’t just the cherry on top; it’s the whole sundae!

Why digital accessibility matters

Yes, John is fully aware that digital accessibility is a major component of a healthy solution to avoid lawsuits and reputational damage. When it comes to tying all aspects of inclusion together, digital accessibility is often the golden thread. Done right, it amplifies the effectiveness of every diversity and inclusion strategy you might have as a leader. Digital accessibility is also an absolute game-changer! One that radically changes the narrative for your team members who are older, have disabilities, or are temporarily sidelined.

So, let’s give your leadership approach an upgrade. Through John’s experiences, let’s delve into the nuts and bolts of how to make this happen in your own workspace. You already know that the digital world is where it’s at. We’re constantly plugged in, whether we’re working, socializing, or even exercising. Now, imagine navigating this world with an assistive technology like a screen reader or without the ability to use a mouse. Just like trying to read a book in the dark, it’s a frustrating experience, to say the least!

But here’s the kicker: digital accessibility isn’t just an issue for folks who deal with disabilities. Have you ever tried to browse a website on your phone in bright sunlight with all that sun glare? That’s an accessibility issue. How about trying to listen to a podcast in a noisy environment, but there are no captions? Yep, you guessed it, another accessibility concern. Examples like these abound. Accessible digital platforms make the lives of people with disabilities better, but they also benefit everyone. We call this the “curb-cut effect”.

This is where John had his epiphany, his “aha” moment, if you will. Accessibility is not just about making things work for a select group of people; it’s about making life easier for everyone. Once he figured that out, there was no turning back for him. He understood that prioritizing digital accessibility could no longer be seen as a sideline project; it needed to become an ongoing program, the main event!

In fact, the parallels between digital spaces and physical spaces couldn’t be clearer. Just like you wouldn’t build a new office without ramps or elevators these days, why would you create a digital environment that’s not accessible to a portion of your audience, or the population? That’s not just leaving people out; that would be bad enough. But it’s also about leaving talent, innovation, and potential growth on the table.

And that, my friends, is why digital accessibility is a game-changer for any leader worth their salt.

Realizing the importance of digital accessibility

Let’s get back to John, our man of the hour. John’s the kind of manager who loves a challenge. When he first heard about digital accessibility, he scratched his head a bit. Sure, he’d heard about alt-text for images (who hasn’t these days), but he didn’t quite grasp how deep the rabbit hole went.

His first reality check came when he decided to run an accessibility audit on their digital properties to gauge just how accessible they were and whether his organization was far off from complying with legal requirements. Remember what we said last week in key no3: you can’t fix what you can’t measure!

But yikes! The list of issues was longer than a Monday morning line at Starbucks! From keyboard navigation gaps to colour contrast faux-pas, his organization’s digital landscape looked like an obstacle course for anyone with accessibility needs.

Instead of feeling defeated, John chose to roll up his sleeves. He involved his team in learning about web content accessibility guidelines and best practices. What’s more, he didn’t just go through the motions; he connected and listened to employees who faced these hurdles daily. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes for him. It was about understanding how to remove digital barriers for good by learning from those who had the lived experiences and insights that were so valuable to him.

“So, what’s the lesson here,” you might ask. Well, what it comes down to is that digital accessibility is a journey, not a destination. It’s that ongoing program, and not some random project with a start and an end date. John’s shift from indifference to advocacy didn’t happen overnight, but his commitment sure paid off! As the team started fixing glitches, the digital workspace gradually transformed from a maze to an open highway.

And to what end? More engaged employees. Better productivity. A stronger sense of community. Happier, more satisfied clients. Now that’s leadership worth following, wouldn’t you say?

The core components of digital accessibility

What does digital accessibility actually mean for us as leaders? And what about our teams and the people we’re trying to reach? I’m talking about the real “roll-up-your-sleeves” kind of stuff.

For starters, consider keyboard navigation. Most of us can’t imagine navigating a website without a mouse. But for some people, keyboard navigation is more than a nice-to-have; it’s essential! John understood this and ensured that all digital platforms his team used were keyboard-friendly and navigable via keyboard shortcuts. No mouse? No problem!

Next, let’s take a look at headings that catch our attention as we’re scrolling through webpages. Headings aren’t just there to break up the text. They act as road signs and help us navigate through content. John knew the power of meaningful headings in making content accessible, and he made them a priority.

Now, consider visual content like images and videos. Yes, they can add flair to a website, but what if you can’t see them? John made sure to include text alternatives, or alt-text, for all visual elements. It’s the equivalent of an audio-description for a movie, but for a website…

And don’t overlook colour contrast! It might seem trivial, but if your text and background colours are too similar, you’re going to lose some people. John had his team continually check to make sure text was readable for everyone, even those with colourblindness.

Last but not least, audio content. Podcasts and webinars are great, but not if you can’t hear them! John also made text transcripts for audio a standard part of his digital accessibility strategy, providing an alternative way for people to consume that content.

Ultimately, for John, each of these components was more than just a checklist item. They were critical steps toward making his digital content genuinely inclusive. By focusing on these areas, John transformed digital accessibility from an afterthought into a core aspect of his team’s strategy. The positive repercussions of this important work were quickly felt across the board.

Creating an inclusive digital environment

John didn’t just wake up one morning with an inclusive digital vision: this transformation took time and some savvy moves! First, he made sure to get all the right people in the room, from marketing to leadership to IT. Because, let’s face it, accessibility touches everything we do, and everyone has a role to play! Even if it was just a Zoom call, getting those key players on board was his kick-off moment, his first big step.

Realizing that this job was bigger than one department alone, John fostered a culture of collaboration. He set up regular roundtables that included members from cross-functional teams, like developers, designers, content creators, testers, strategists, and managers. Bringing everyone together helped the team as they tackled their first accessibility barriers. Collaboration brought innovative solutions that worked.

John’s focus on continuous feedback naturally set him apart. Early on, he established a dedicated channel. Team members and customers alike could share their accessibility experiences; this channel quickly turned into a goldmine of insights! Curating the feedback helped identify issues and allowed for making improvements in real-time.

But John being John, he didn’t stop there – and neither should you! Understanding the limitations of automated testing, he chose to engage directly with people who had various disabilities. Observing them navigate the digital landscape, he was then able to make educated adjustments based on real-world use, not just theory.

To keep track of his efforts, John also established clear metrics. Reduced numbers of complaints and increased user engagement soon became his primary measures of success! Whenever there was a win, be it a website redesign or resolving a complicated navigation issue, John made sure to celebrate it! Celebrating achievements not only boosted team morale. It also reinforced the importance of digital accessibility within the organization.

In the end, John’s approach was never about working off a checklist or following a script. His journey was far from a smooth ride, but wow, did John learn a lot along the way! With his team rallying behind him, they shifted the whole company’s mindset on digital accessibility. And what they ended up with wasn’t just a by-the-book accessible digital space, but one that actually welcomes everyone in.

Common challenges faced

Of course, every leader aiming for digital inclusivity hits roadblocks. John was no exception, despite him being all about accessibility.

One such major barrier that he ran into was resistance to change. People will be people. They get comfortable with the way things are and balk at extra work. Making a website accessible certainly qualifies as one such thing! John had to show everyone that their digital properties were indeed broken for people with disabilities and that they needed fixing.

Another such obstacle was budget. Resources aren’t endless. John had to be savvy in how he allocated funds for training and updates. Sometimes that meant picking which changes to roll out first, but he never lost sight of the end goal.

And don’t underestimate the challenge of awareness (or lack thereof)… Not everyone “gets it” right off the bat! Some team members just didn’t see why changes, like adding text transcripts, were vital. Instead of getting frustrated, John saw this as an opportunity to educate further, and bring even more people into the fold.

But that’s not all. Time was another tricky element! Managing daily duties while spearheading a shift toward digital accessibility felt like juggling while riding a unicycle most days! John managed by carving out specific times for accessibility work and it kept things moving without swamping the team.

Lastly, technology never stands still. With new tools and platforms always popping up, John had to keep the pace. That meant regular checks to make sure everything met accessibility standards so that nothing would slip through the cracks. Lots of things to consider. Lots of moving parts.

None of this was easy, but the bottom line? John found that challenges are part of the package when you’re working on something as crucial as digital accessibility. What sets leaders like him apart is their knack for turning these obstacles into stepping stones toward a more inclusive environment.

If John could navigate these challenges, then you better believe that you could, too!

Actionable steps for leaders

So, are you feeling inspired by John’s journey through the peaks and valleys of digital accessibility? Great! Let’s dive into some concrete steps you can take to walk that particular talk! To unlock key no4 on the inclusive leadership roadmap, you will need to start by educating yourself. Knowledge is power, so read up, take courses, or even consult experts to get the lowdown on digital accessibility. Double down and make it your mission! Embed this cause into your team’s core objectives to send a loud and clear message: as an organization, we care about this.

Also, don’t try to be a one-person army! Assemble a task force with varied skills and perspectives. More minds mean more solutions. And while you’re at it, remember to reach out to your community. Your employees and customers have invaluable insights – especially those who have disabilities and related lived experiences! Invite them to test out new features and give you honest feedback: it needs to be a dialogue, not a one-way street. Oh, and pay them for their time, ok?

Once you have a plan, put it into action. Test it. Learn from it. Refine it. Rinse. Repeat. See how it impacts those who will actually use your websites, documents, or apps. Track how you’re doing. Measure the progress. Are people engaging more? Is your website becoming more navigable? If not, tweak your approach and try again. The key message here is, and should always be, progress over perfection. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.

And when you do make those gains, celebrate. A little recognition goes a long way in keeping your team motivated for the long haul!

There you have it. You’re now equipped with actionable steps and insights to achieve digital accessibility, gleaned from John’s real-world experiences. You’re all set to be an inclusive leader in this digital age, unlocking this important key. Time to roll up those sleeves, channel your inner John, and make the digital world a better place for everyone.

The win-win of digital accessibility

So at this point, you’ve read about John’s strategies, the challenges he faced, and actionable steps that you can take. It’s time to bring it home by looking at the broader impact. Why should you bother with digital accessibility at all? As it turns out, there are a slew of reasons! And they all make for a compelling case.

First, let’s talk about team engagement. When you make your digital platforms accessible, what you’re saying loud and clear is “I value each and everyone one of you.” Trust me, your team will pick up on that! They’ll be more engaged, happier, and let’s face it; happy teams do great work. Once people see the benefits and feel the energy, they’ll want to be part of it. That’s more than success; that’s influence. That’s inclusive leadership.

But let’s think even bigger: your customer base. Accessible websites and apps aren’t just for a niche audience. They benefit everyone. More people interacting with your brand is the kind of problem we all want to have. And accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s also the law, as we’ve seen earlier in our key on disability legislation. So, taking steps to be accessible isn’t just good for the soul. It also keeps you clear of any legal snags! Yep, that’s right, you get to be a good person and avoid legal headaches, too. Talk about a win-win situation!

Oh, and here’s a final, juicy tidbit… Some of the coolest tech advancements have roots in accessibility, too. As an example, just think about voice recognition or predictive text. Now, you’re no longer just complying, you’re innovating! This is more than ticking boxes; it’s pioneering the next big thing! Of course, at its core, we all know that digital accessibility is just the decent, right thing to do. If it aligns with any corporate social responsibility goals you might have, then it can cement your reputation as an organization that gives a damn.

The ultimate all-around win

So, let’s sum it up. Accessible digital platforms are the ultimate all-around win that benefits everyone, whether they’re disabled or not. Ever used subtitles on a noisy train? That’s an accessibility feature benefiting YOU. This is more than altruism; it’s smart business sense that’s good for your team, your customers, your legal standing, and even your capacity for innovation.

Plans are great, but action is where the rubber meets the road. Implement, test, tweak, and keep the ball rolling. And when you score those wins, even the small ones, make it a point to celebrate them. A pat on the back goes a long way in keeping everyone motivated.

John made it happen in his organization, and you can too. So, go on, make your digital space a welcoming place for all. You’ve got the know-how, you’ve got some insights. It’s time to dive in! Start by educating yourself and your team. Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s the cornerstone of inclusive leadership. Then make it official. Prioritize digital accessibility. Set your timelines. Get everyone on the same page.

Remember, this isn’t a side project. It’s an ongoing program. It’s a mission!