Digital Accessibility Best Practices Still Apply

Follow Best Practices

While emerging technologies like XR have unique sets of accessibility considerations, they also require you to follow basic accessibility best practices. For example, you must make sure that the content you create for XR is accessible and train staff members on accessible ways to use the technologies you procure. Below are a few basic accessibility best practices you should keep in mind when you use XR in your workplace.

Accessible Digital Content

Whenever you make digital content, make sure it is accessible. While you may not design content such as documents or presentations for XR platforms, the content you create will likely be used on XR platforms at some point. Below are helpful tips and resources.

• Follow digital accessibility best practices when creating documents, images, data visualizations, videos/multimedia, web content and presentation slides.
• Provide ways for all employees to access digital content whether or not they use XR technologies.

Accessible Digital Communications

Everyone should follow accessibility best practices when using communication tools and creating content. Below are helpful tips and resources.

• Communications should be accessible whether they are synchronous or asynchronous.
  • Real-time digital communications such as real-time video, voice and text communications are synchronous.
  • Other digital communications such as email, social media and messaging are asynchronous.
• Follow digital accessibility best practices when creating content such as emails and content shared through social networking tools.
• Provide multiple communication modes for real-time immersive communication technologies and content such as video or avatar-based conferencing, voice chat or text chat. For example, an avatar with a voice chat system should include an option for real-time, two-way, text-based communication.

Staff Training & Policies

Your organization should develop clear accessibility policies and have an accessibility program in place. All staff members should complete training on these policies and stay informed when there are updates. Below are helpful tips and resources.

• Your staff members need to understand the basics of disability inclusion and digital accessibility. After all, accessibility is a team effort. You can refer to PEAT’s Staff Training Resources Toolkit, which includes detailed guidance on training employees in specific roles across the organization.
• Your staff members may find it easiest to use personal devices that have the accessibility features they need while they telework. This could include personal XR technologies. PEAT’s blog post, “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Accessibility,” shares best practices for handling BYOD requests.
• Your organization can use the EARN framework, “Adopting an Integrated Telework Policy for Employees With and Without Disabilities,” to ensure your telework policy applies to all employees, including employees with disabilities. You should make sure your organization’s telework policy provides guidance around the use of XR technologies for telework.
• You may want to seek help with XR technologies if your organization does not have the expertise in-house. PEAT provides information that organizations can use to help find the right accessibility consultants and staff in the article, “Hiring Accessibility Consultants, Staff & User Testers.”