Accessible communications training
Client:
Australian Electoral Commission
Project type:
Training
Topic(s):
- Disability access and inclusion
We hosted an accessible communications workshop for a group of staff from the Australian Electoral Commission (the AEC). The AEC is responsible for running federal elections, by-elections and referendums across Australia, and managing voter enrolment. The AEC is firmly committed to making voting accessible and inclusive for all voters. We have previously worked with the AEC to create Easy Read guides on how to vote. They communicate both online and in-person with diverse members of our community.
Our 3-hour workshop explored how to create accessible content using accessible language, accessible design and digital accessibility.
Participants put their learning into practice through exercises like writing alt text, creating meaningful hyperlinks, navigating a website without using a mouse and experiencing how people with different types of colour blindness perceive the AEC logo. They were also encouraged to think about the internal policies and plans that help guide and support accessibility and inclusion.
Participants appreciated that the workshop looked at different aspects of inclusion, not just the disability lens. For example, our workshop explored cultural sensitivities, gender inclusive language and how to avoid ableist or exclusionary language.
Testimonials
We received very positive feedback in our post-workshop survey. Participants complimented our powerful lived experience videos, the tools and resources we provided and our presentation methods.
Written feedback from participants included:
‘Exceeded expectations.’
‘One of the best presentations I’ve been to in some time. It was very informative.’
‘I liked that it included all forms of inclusion, not just disability.’
‘I think it was great to attend as a team especially as we are all trying to increase the accessibility of our work.’
‘It was a fabulous session. You did an excellent job of presenting – especially over a prolonged period.’
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