By Elga Rodriguez
Each year on the third Thursday in May, we pause to reflect on what it means to create a church community where everyone can participate fully.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day invites us to think deeply about digital inclusion, from the way we run online meetings to the content we share across our websites and social media.
Accessibility is about people, not just a technical requirement. It expresses our commitment to welcome, dignity and justice. When we make our online spaces accessible, we remove barriers that prevent people with disability from fully engaging in the life of the Church.
Here are a few simple ways you can help make your online content more accessible:
- Use clear, plain language
- Structure content with headings
- Add alternative text to images
- Make link text descriptive
- Ensure good colour contrast
- Caption videos and recordings
Small changes make a big difference, not only for people with disability, but for anyone accessing content on a small screen, in a noisy space, or with limited bandwidth.
To learn more, explore the training available on the Synod Disability Inclusion page. Together, we can build online spaces that reflect our calling to be an inclusive and welcoming Church for all.
Visit the Global Accessibility Awareness Day page to continue your learning and deepen your commitment to digital inclusion.
Elga Rodriguez is the Synod’s Disability Inclusion Advocate