Welcome to another insightful episode of 3Spoonies, where hosts Karen, Jo, and Claire dive into the intricacies of accessible communication. This episode offers valuable insights into managing communication in business settings, making it accessible for everyone, and the importance of clear language. Find out more about our guest Lisa here. Here’s a closer look at the episode’s key highlights and takeaways.
Accessible Communication with Lisa Riemers
The hosts are joined by Lisa Riemers, a communications and content consultant who specializes in helping organizations communicate effectively with both employees and customers. Lisa discusses her varied experience in communication and marketing, highlighting the importance of viewing communication from multiple perspectives to gain deeper insights. Find out more about Lisa here.
Key Questions on Accessible Communication
- Customising Website Fonts: A listener named Abby queries about allowing users to adjust font sizes on her graphic design website. Lisa emphasises the importance of responsive design that adapts whether users are on mobile or desktop. She advises against relying on accessibility overlays, which can often cause more harm than good.
- Dealing with Jargon: Ryan, who works in a jargon-heavy industry, asks for advice on explaining terms clearly. Lisa suggests using plain language and explains the importance of defining jargon the first time it appears to help newcomers understand the context.
- Clear Language Standards: Ashley inquires about the official guidelines for clear language. Lisa introduces the international ISO standard for plain English and suggests using built-in checkers like Hemingway to ensure content is accessible to various audiences.
Resources and Further Learning
Lisa shares her enthusiasm for ongoing learning in accessibility and promotes her upcoming book co-authored with Matisse, Hannah-Elise, on accessible communications. She encourages listeners to explore her website for a wealth of accessibility resources.
Conclusion
This episode of 3Spoonies emphasises the importance of accessible communication in business and personal interactions. By leveraging expert advice from Lisa Riemers and practical solutions entrepreneurs can enhance their approach to communication, making it more inclusive and efficient.
You can watch or listen to the full episode here.
If you’d like new episodes straight to your inbox every Thursday sign up to our mailing list.