Accessibility in Your Communications
Posted in Messages to the Community
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing to share important resources to make communications more accessible to members of our community with disabilities. We are reaching out to you, as someone who sends out mass emails, updates your school or department’s website or social media or otherwise plays an important role in working with digital media, to help us ensure all of the University’s communications are accessible to all members of our community. In line with our commitment to affirming community in diversity, Georgetown has an opportunity to be a leader in open, inclusive communications. We are calling on you to help make that happen.
To get started creating accessible communications, please refer to this one-page reference guide developed by the Accessible Communications Working Group. It contains important advice on how to format images, links and text to make them accessible across social media, email, video, web and other electronic platforms. For example, we advise avoiding image files that contain text – including event flyers – in any of your electronic communications, and making sure that all hyperlink text avoids language like “click here” or “learn more” and instead is descriptive of the link’s purpose.
For a more comprehensive guide to electronic accessibility, the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility website provides detailed information on policy, testing, training and resources. The Getting Started page includes how-to guides and procedures for how to make web, social media, email, video/audio and electronic documents accessible. Please ensure that you review these resources before sending out future communications.
Making all Georgetown communications across platforms accessible maximizes the reach of our message, events and programs by ensuring anyone – regardless of ability – can engage with them. Not only is it the right thing to do and in line with the mission of the University, but it helps Georgetown remain in compliance with federal and DC disability laws.
For questions about your content, please email webaccessibility@georgetown.edu . If you would like to receive regular updates on electronic accessibility, you can join the GU Accessibility Updates Google Group . Thank you for your help in making Georgetown a more inclusive community.
Best Regards,
Rosemary E. Kilkenny, J.D.
Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Judd Nicholson
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Erik Smulson
Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President