Email is used every day, but accessibility is not often considered. Email should be approached in the same way that one would when creating a document or webpage. Many of the same principles apply.Ìý For example, it is equally important to add alt-text to images and ensure appropriate headings are created within an email. As you would with any other area related to accessibility, it is important to dive deeper into each particular platform you might use. This includes Outlook, but external platforms for digital communication should be considered carefully as well.Ìý
Opportunities and Challenges
Accessibility opportunitiesÌý
- Microsoft Outlook’s emails have many of the same features as a Word documentÌý
- Can implement the accessibility basicsÌýÌý
- Easy to include accessible attachmentsÌý
- Can be more conversational so easier to use simple languageÌýÌý
Accessibility challengesÌýÌý
- Need to ensure all attachments are accessible as wellÌýÌý
- Accessibility can be challenging if people can only receive or send plain text emailsÌýÌý
Learn More about Accessible EmailÌý
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Email Suggestions
- Implement the accessibility essentialsÌýÌý
- Accessible headingsÌýÌý
- Alternative textÌýÌýÌý
- Color contrastÌýÌý
- Descriptive linksÌýÌý
- Accessible tables and chartsÌý
- Captions and transcriptsÌýÌýÌý
- Clear languageÌý
- Ensure all attachments and embedded content are accessibleÌý
- Create subject lines that are relevant to the email contentÌýÌý
- Avoid animations and videos that cannot be pausedÌýÌý
- Avoid emails that are just an imageÌýÌý
- Always check signature lines for accessibilityÌý
- Do not rely on emojis to convey meaningÌýÌý
- Ensure emails can be viewed on mobile devicesÌý
- If using an external service for mail campaigns, check for accessibility possibilities prior to hiring the company or purchasing the services
