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Communications specialists Lisa Riemers and Matisse Hamel-Nelis on the importance of making content accessible for all consumers and how this can be achieved.

Digital accessibility means making sure everyone can access, understand and interact with your content, regardless of ability. It’s about removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from engaging with your websites, emails, social media, documents and videos. This includes considerations for people who are blind or have low vision, are D/deaf or hard of hearing, have mobility limitations or experience cognitive differences. It’s also about making your communications have a bigger impact for everyone!

A.I. tools may not understand emotion or accuracy, but their structure offers valuable lessons for making human writing more accessible.

Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can be massive time-savers for leaders. Among other benefits, they offer an apparently quick and easy way for leaders to draft communications to their teams and customers. Yet while there are benefits to using AI, leaders risk damaging their relationships – and potentially even their reputations – if they don’t use the technology in an effective and responsible way.

Communication professionals spend their careers perfecting the art of clarity. We develop targeted, multifaceted strategies. We consider the outcomes we’re trying to achieve, consider what to say when, to whom, and why. We craft campaigns that grab attention, and we manage ongoing communications with our audiences. Yet many overlook one of the most fundamental and misunderstood aspects of our channel mix: digital accessibility.

When Lisa and I mention accessibility, we often see the same reaction. Eyes glaze over slightly, as it’s mentally filed under “compliance stuff” or “nice to have.” Or it’s seen as something large and intimidating, or someone else’s problem. For many folks it’s something that just wasn’t included in their professional training.

However, accessibility isn’t just about following guidelines or avoiding legal issues. It’s about creating more impactful communications that don’t exclude anyone. It’s about creating a more inclusive environment. It’s about communications excellence.

Artificial intelligence proponents promise that Generative AI will revolutionise how we communicate at work. But for the 1.3 billion people worldwide with disabilities, the question isn’t just whether AI will change communication. It’s whether it will make it more accessible or create new barriers.

The answer, like most things involving AI, is complicated.

Humans are hardwired to communicate – to share ideas, connect with others, and build understanding. Yet too often, the messages crafted and content created unintentionally exclude the very people they are meant to reach. With more than 2.5 billion people requiring one or more assistive products ranging from glasses and hearing aids to mobility scooters, and 1 in 6 of the global population having a significant disability, businesses cannot afford to ignore swathes of customers, or neglect the needs of a significant proportion of their staff.

When we design for accessibility, we create better experiences for everyone. This is the call to action of Accessible Communications, the new book by independent communications consultant and accessibility advocate, Lisa Riemers, and Matisse Hamel-Nelis, an award-winning communications and digital accessibility consultant.

Communicating in a way that’s transparent, inclusive, and accessible is a must. Whether you’re running a team, building a brand, or growing your own career, accessibility needs to be part of how you connect with people. There are fantastic resources out there to help you move from good intentions to practical tools and real impact. In this list of books, you’ll find ideas and strategies that cover the essentials: accessibility and inclusivity, communication frameworks, practical tools you can put to use right away, tips for boosting your professional credibility, and insights on the business and compliance side of things. These reads will not only sharpen your skills but also show you how accessibility can drive trust, innovation, and long-term success.

This week Matt welcomes back Lisa alongside guest Matisse Hamel Nelis to chat about their upcoming book “Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust.”

The duo spent 18 months crafting what sounds like a much-needed guide to creating digital content that actually works for everyone – not just the mythical “average user” that so much design seems targeted at. They dive into why accessibility isn’t just about compliance checkboxes or helping people with disabilities, but about recognizing that we’re all temporarily disabled at various points (try reading a restaurant menu in candlelight without your reading glasses, or navigating a website on your phone while walking).

The conversation takes some detours through the world of inaccessible tech design, from VR headsets that don’t work with glasses to meeting software that assumes blind people simply wouldn’t use their product. Lisa and Matisse make a compelling case that accessibility problems often stem from a lack of diversity in the rooms where decisions get made, and they share practical tips that anyone can implement immediately – like actually using Word’s heading styles properly, writing descriptive hyperlinks instead of “click here,” and understanding why those bullet point emojis on LinkedIn are driving screen readers bonkers.

The book launches October 3rd in the UK and October 28th in North America.

In April 2024, something shifted in the public relations landscape. The Department of Justice published its final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Levels A and AA. The compliance deadline for organizations serving 50,000 or more people is April 24, 2026, less than eight months away.

What if accessibility were baked into your process from the moment you started brainstorming?