Cuttlefish Communication

I'm the first to admit that for many years, inclusive design didn't even cross my mind when working in corporate comms.

But these days, I'll shout about it until people are sick of listening to me!

Why? Because inclusive communication isn't a "nice-to-have" add-on; it’s a fundamental part of effective leadership and change. 🏗️

When we talk about DEI in communications, we often focus on the "what" (ie, the specific words we use).

But true inclusion starts with the "how" ... how we design our messages to be accessible to everyone from the very beginning.

To move beyond tokenism and towards genuine inclusion, there's three things we can do:

1. Acknowledge the "Who" before the "Why": Before you craft a single message, understand the diverse needs, backgrounds, and digital capabilities of your audience.

2. Design for accessibility: Use clear, simple language and ensure your content is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies (for example, if someone doesn't use a mouse, can they easily tab through your website or intranet page?).

3. Seek out diverse perspectives: Don't assume you know what will resonate with everyone; actively involve people from different backgrounds in your planning and review processes.

When we design for inclusion, we create a culture where everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed.

What is one small change you’ve made to your communication style to make it more inclusive?

[Image description: Pale green tile with a white circle in the middle with black text that reads: Inclusive design makes communication better for everyone.]