However, whenever we are about to make any contribution, we must consider whether our contribution is equally accessible to everyone. In this case, this means our posts should be made accessible to as many members of the TUNZA community as possible.

"Accessibility" means making sure the content you produce can be consumed, interacted with, or otherwise used by people with disabilities. In this context, we're talking about web accessibility, which is defined by a comprehensive set of rules.

In any organized effort, it's important to enlist the help of as many people as you can, with as many different perspectives and insights as possible.

 

People with disabilities are important members of our communities, and their lived experiences can enrich our understanding of environmental issues. As such, making our articles about the planet accessible is essential to creating a more welcoming platform for all people willing to contribute to a better future.

For the sake of brevity, we're going to cover two basic accessibility tips: alternative texts and formating.

What is an alternative text? If you begin writing an article on the TUNZA text editor, you will notice a box titled "Alternative text" under the photo upload button.

Alternative texts contain a short, unembellished description of the picture you're uploading. This way, whenever a person with a visual disability is browsing your article, their screen reader will automatically read out the alternative text, and your audience will get a better feel of your content.

It's important to keep alternative texts short, descriptive, and literal! They are no place for purple prose or witticisms. This might seem intimidating, but don't worry; there are plenty of tutorials on the internet!

Sometimes, dense blocks of text are hard or  draining to read for people with visual of cognitive disabilities. That's why it's important to separate long paragraphs!

It's also useful to create distinct sections with bolded captions, and to write in big enough letter sizes. 

Lastly, if you want to color your text for the sake of emphasis, choose your shades wisely: use dark, vivid colors over pale backgrounds, and vice versa.

It takes practice and mindfulness, but in the end, creating accessible content is well worth the effort. To prove this point, I wrote and edited this article on my phone! 

Ensuring a more accessible community for people who want to join the fight for a greener planet is more than just a side activity. It is our responsibility.

Accessibility might seem daunting to the inexperienced beginner, but a lot of it is simply a matter of forming better writing habits. If you're ever lost, the internet is full of resources, so write away (responsibly)!