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Disability Action Week 2024 – Accessible communication: connect, include and empower
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🎉 It’s Disability Action Week 2024 (24 Nov – 1 Dec)! This year’s theme is Accessible Communication: Connect, Include, Empower.
Join us in celebrating inclusive communication for everyone! We’re excited to share some of the effective strategies and creative solutions we use at Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, to make communication more accessible for all.
Did you know?
More than 1.3 million people worldwide–including 21.4% of Australians–live with a disability or chronic health condition?
Disability results from the interaction between people with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that impacts full participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Disability: The Statistics
- 16% of the world’s population or over 1.3 billion people experience some form of disability.[1]
- 21.4% of Australians or 5.5 million people experience disability and live with an impairment.[2]
- 7.6% of Australian children <15 experience some form of disability.[3]
- 650,000 people in Australia are active NDIS participants with approved plans.[4]
Accessible Communication for Everyone
Accessible communication is essential for creating a society that connects and includes everyone, regardless of ability. Clear, inclusive communication helps to ensure that information, services, and opportunities are available to all people, breaking down barriers and fostering genuine engagement in every aspect of life.
Consider your Audience
When creating content, consider the divers learning and communication needs of your audience. Accessible technologies and inclusive communication materials are essential to effectively reach and support people with disability, with approximately half of all Australians with disability reported to use some form of aid or assistive device. Further, almost 1 in 10 have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment because of their disability needs.
Accessibility for the d/Deaf and signing community
Approximately 466 million people (or 6.1% of the world’s population) are living with hearing loss. In Australia, one in six people are affected by a variety of forms of hearing loss. There are 30,000 Australian Sign Language (Auslan) users.[5]Some ways of supporting the d/Deaf and the signing community include:
- Use subtitles and captions – preferably live captions where possible
- Use the services of an Auslan interpreter (where needed)
- Provide verbatim transcripts of live events, meetings and events
- Enable technology access
- Facilitate the use of online chats in virtual meetings (as an option) – NB: lipreading, captioning and Auslan interpreting is preferred
- Use digital whiteboards, this is especially helpful in medical settings or emergencies.
Accessibility for blind, low vision and other vision impairments- Use large, scalable, legible fonts – preferably sans serif, upper and lower case, with high contrast such as bold and normal text
- Avoid the use of all caps, italics and underline (unless a hyperlink)
- Use clear, high contrast colours – use an accessibility colour checker
- Ensure your communication is screen reader accessible
- Use alternative (Alt) text on images and label decorative objects as such
- Use braille where possible, especially on signage in public spaces
- Provide multiple / alternate formats
- Use pattern, texture, shapes and labels rather than colour, especially on graphs, charts and diagrams
- Do not use too much red or colour, just for the sake of using colour – this is not helpful for individuals with low vision or those who are colour blind.
Communication accessibility for mobility disability
- Use accessible spaces and conduct site visits where possible
- Offer hands-free options such as lapel microphones
- Offer multiple formats e.g. print, written, audio, video and digital, depending on your target audience and their requirements
- Use assistive technologies such as speech-to-text, eye-tracking systems, adaptive keyboards, headsets and mounted devices.
Cognitive considerations
- Visual Aids – Provide visual aids, step-by-step instructions, or prompts for individuals with cognitive impairments
- Be Patient – Be patient with slower or non-verbal communicators; confirm understanding with repetition or paraphrasing
- Assistive Technologies – Use apps or devices that facilitate simple, customisable communication (e.g., ACC or communication boards)
- Avoid Special Effects – Avoid the heavy use of effects such as animation, transition, flickering or strobing in multimedia
- Use Plain Language – Use plain, straightforward language to reduce cognitive load for individuals with brain injury / processing difficulties
- Easy Read & Visual Aids – Incorporate gestures, visual aids and easy read formats to supplement standard verbal and written communication.
Design for equal access
By embracing accessible designs and tools, we create environments where everyone has equal opportunities to connect, understand, and participate fully.- Design for accessibility and inclusion
- Use inclusive language
- Apply universal design principals
- Embrace co-design
- Test your content
- Facilitate inclusion training for your staff.
Our Commitment at Inclusive Futures and The Hopkins Centre
At Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre at Griffith University, we’re dedicated to leading the way in accessible practices. Here’s a look at some of the ways we’re advancing inclusion and accessibility:- Developing research on communication access and tools to support diverse needs, including our new Inclusive Events Checklist.
- Integrating inclusive communication into all research projects, translation and dissemination, for example Voice of Queenslanders with Disability, ARC Adjudicating Rights for a Sustainable National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Partnership to understand Indigenous experiences of CTP.
- Hosting inclusive events and workshops, which seek to lead from the front and by example – for example our recent Hopkins Centre Bold Ideas Better Solutions Symposium and Inclusive Futures: Winning Medals with Equity and Diversity Symposium, Book Club Events and our successful Inclusivity in Play Pitch Festival.
- Engaging in projects that drive innovation in assistive communication technologies, including:
- We offer partnerships, consultation, resources, and training to support organisations in developing inclusive practices. Our programs are led by co-designers with lived experience of disability through initiatives like the Dignity Project and Inclusive Voices. Additionally, we equip the next generation of citizen researchers through our Citizen Researcher Essentials: A Short Course.
Together, we are building a world where everyone can connect, be included, and feel empowered. Discover how you can integrate accessible communication practices into your workplace, starting with small, impactful steps.
Thank you for committing to a future where communication is accessible to all.
MORE INFORMATIONFor more information, collaborate or to partner with us in creating inclusive accessible content, research, projects or events, please email: inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au or hopkinscentre@griffith.edu.au
REFERENCES[1] The World Health Organisation, 2024.
[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
[3] Queensland Government, 2024.
[4] NDIS, 2024.
[5] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022.
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Disability Reform Summit: Moving from recommendations to evidence-based solutions
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The Disability Reform Summit was hosted by the Dignity Project and funded by an Engaging Science Grant from the Department of Environment and Science.
The Summit brought together a diverse group of citizen scientists, Queensland disability researchers and academics, and key disability persons and advocacy organisations for a collaborative agenda-setting workshop.
The workshop sought to co-create priorities for research based on the NDIS Review recommendations, Disability Royal Commission recommendations, and the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report recommendations, while moving towards evidence-based solutions that will directly contribute to government and service responses.
Twenty-one attendees worked collaboratively over a 4-hour workshop and identified key priorities, much of which was focused on improving disability data collection, better implementation of consistent disability flags across mainstream services, and increasing sustainable long-term partnerships and funding.
Workshop attendees wanted to prioritise projects that focus on building evidence for knowledge and evidence gaps, although 50% of participants also wanted to examine existing interventions to evaluate and improve them.
L-R: Dr Kelsey Chapman; Dr Talitha Kingsmill and Sharon White; and Nerine Williams.TOPICS AND INSIGHTS
Health and Wellbeing:
- Promoting health consumerism principles and access for all.
- Shifting from reactive to pre-emptive health strategies.
- Addressing disparities in health equity and access.
- Campaigns like 'Hear Me, See Me, Understand Me' and involving lived experiences in decisions.
- Potential research includes integrating health awareness into education and enhancing professional understanding of diverse needs.
Employment and Financial Security:
- Psychological safety and accommodations in the workplace.
- Inclusive recruitment, onboarding, and raising employment expectations.
- Examining current inclusive policies and staff training in unconscious bias.
- Potential research includes building inclusive research teams and understanding confidence in disability-related conversations.
Top: Panelists Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM, Dr Talitha Kingsmill, Sharon White and Prof. David Trembath. Bottom: Dr Kelsey Chapman leads the summit workshop activities. Inclusive Education and Learning:- Need for inclusive school rules and evolving educational practices.
- Redesigning assessment methods and promoting reasonable adjustments.
- Potential research focuses on leadership attitudes and diverse perspectives in education, reassessing student success metrics.
Inclusive and Accessible Communities:
- Evaluating compliance vs. actual accessibility and inclusion.
- Measuring community inclusion and the impact of co-design.
- Opportunities like Brisbane 2032 for updating infrastructure and promoting universal accessibility.
Disability Data:
- Enhancing researcher capability and implementing consistent disability data flags.
- Prioritising projects to build evidence and evaluate existing interventions.
- Balancing academic interest with immediate social needs through co-design and sustainable partnerships.
Top L-R: Sharon White and Prof. David Trembath; Julia Robertson.
Bottom L-R: Dr Eloise Hummell and Nerine Williams; Geoff Trappett; Dr Maretta Mann. We extend our gratitude to the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science for their support of this research. Our deepest thanks also go to Dr. Kelsey Chapman, Lead Researcher, and the Griffith University's Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability team, including Rebekah Barker, Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter, Dr. Maretta Mann, and Professor Elizabeth Kendall AM, for their invaluable assistance in organising this event. Additionally, we appreciate the continuous dedication and support of our Summit participants and the wider Dignity Project team.Special thanks to Eric Tram, our videographer, illustrators Holly Bryant & Cate Withers and the team at Griffith University Live Worm (Libbi Reed, Jacqui Hancox and Sharon Searle) for their engaging Sketch Notes that beautifully captured the topics and insights of the Summit.
Top L-R: Prof David Trembath; Dr Kelsey Chapman; Dr Eloise Hummell.
Bottom L-R: Summit Participants; Prof. Elizabeth Kendall AM.
Top L-R: Dr Talitha Kingsmill and Karin Swift.
Bottom: Dr Maretta Mann and Dr Kelsey Chapman lead discussion amongst their group.Acknowledgement
The Disability Reform Summit was funded by an Engaging Science Grant from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Watch the Disability Reform Summit highlights on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wz2UJ08xOP0?si=xIu1T75BSAVJTm58 (Videographer: Eric Tram).
Join us in moving from recommendations to real change!
More information: Dr Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow and Citizen Science Manager k.chapman@griffith.edu.au
SKETCH NOTES
For an accessible / alternate format of our sketch notes, please email inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au
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The Conversation: Travellers with disability often face discrimination. What should change and how to complain?
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New Publication Alert:
The Conversation: Travellers with disability often face discrimination. What should change and how to complain?Authors: Kelsey Chapman, Professor Elizabeth Kendall and Lisa Stafford
Published: 24 January 2024
Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes AM settled a dispute with Adelaide Airport over denied access to a body scanner with his assistance dog. His experience reflects challenges faced by Australia's 4.4 million people with disability in air travel.The Australian Human Rights Commission received over 100 disability discrimination complaints against airlines from 2016-2022, revealing systemic ableism. Freedom of movement, a UN right, is denied through discriminatory practices, damaged mobility equipment, and offensive situations. Urgent reform is needed, with recommendations for specific air travel standards and independent oversight.
Collaboration between governments and the aviation industry can ensure inclusive air travel, aligning with equity principles and promoting diversity. Complaints and legal support are available avenues, but proactive measures like the Disability Rights Act are crucial for lasting change. Everyone deserves dignified and autonomous travel experiences.Read ‘The Conversation’ article in full on the link below:
Visit our Inclusive Futures Hub:
https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au
Contact:
Kelsey Chapman