Newsroom

Professor receives prestigious PR award

Durham College (DC) professor Matisse Hamel-Nelis has been recognized for her tireless commitment to accessibility in communications. PR News has named her one of their People of the Year in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion category.  A professor in the PR and Strategic Communications program, she emphasizes the importance of making communication materials accessible to all.  

GAAD: A Day to Add Accessibility into Content and Communication

May 19 marks the annual celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The day brings attention to the need for digital access and inclusion across communication, particularly for the more than one billion people with disabilities and impairments.

Accessibility in the digital age

Consider your latest social media post. Does it have an image? Maybe it has a video. This is great content for people who are sighted, but what about someone who is blind, partially sighted or deaf? As communicators, we are always looking for the best way to have our message reach the most people; especially with social media outlets, we always find a creative way to share what we want. But do you ever think about how accessible the content you’re producing is to those with a disability? By not thinking about the accessibility of your content, you could be alienating a whole group of customers.

The ‘A’ in IDEA: Expanding your reach with accessible communications

Did you know that approximately one in four Ontarians live with a disability? Or that 15 percent of the world’s population identifies as having a disability? The United Nations has called this demographic the world’s largest minority, and its numbers will only grow in the next 25 years as the population ages.

Embracing Accessibility in Your DEI Initiatives

We live in a time where diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of corporate agendas and what we do as professional communicators. However, one critical aspect often overlooked is digital accessibility. It is a vital component that ensures the inclusivity of all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

Communication Can! Recapping the IABC World Conference 2022

After an inspiring four days in New York City attending educational sessions and connecting with colleagues from all over the globe, IABC World Conference 2022 attendees have a plethora of words to fill in the blanks of “Communication can…”

How Your Brand’s Digital Accessibility Can Impact its Reputation

With the PRNEWS Brand Reputation Summit coming up on May 23-24, we’re giving readers and soon-to-be attendees a chance to meet some speakers. The event covers issues surrounding brand reputation, crisis management and brand safety. In this brief Q&A, we caught up with speaker Matisse Hamel-Nelis, VP of Communications, AbleDocs to discuss how a brand’s digital accessibility can impact its reputation.

In Under 10: Understanding Digital Accessibility With Matisse Hamel-Nelis

In today’s digital age, making sure your online presence meets basic accessibility standards isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business, too.

In the latest installment of In Under 10, Matisse Hamel-Nelis walks us through the basics of understanding digital accessibility, recent examples of well-known brands that have gotten into hot water for not following standards, ways communicators can lead the charge by staying up on the latest regulations and more.