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Making Your Green Articles Accessible

by Theodore Bechlivanis | 20-02-2020 09:04 recommendations 0

Having an online platform where you can post your ideas and concerns, share knowledge, and network with other climate activists is incredibly useful. 

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.

What is accessibility?

"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.

Why is it important?

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.

So what can you do?

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

Including alternative texts

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!

Using accessible formating

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.

Isn't all that difficult?

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)!




A screenshot of the tunza text editor's photo upload button and the alternative text insertion box underneath.

no image

  • Dormant user Theodore Bechlivanis
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20 Comments

  • Susmita Adhikari says :
    Greeting

    I hope you are doing well


    Thank you so much for this report
    Warm regards
    Susmita
    Posted 14-03-2020 13:56

  • Shreya Aryal says :
    Hello Theodore,
    Thank you for this great information.
    Green Cheers
    Posted 08-03-2020 01:51

  • Suhana Thapa says :
    Thanks for sharing!
    Greetings from Nepal!
    Green cheers

    Posted 29-02-2020 11:41

  • Pooja Gyawali says :
    Thank you for sharing.
    Green Cheers &#127807&#127807
    Posted 28-02-2020 23:27

  • Aashutosh Shah says :
    Hello Theodore,
    thank you very much for your report.
    Posted 26-02-2020 11:40

Sonika Pariyar

  • Sonika Pariyar says :
    Hello Theodore!!

    Thank you for sharing this information!!
    GREEN CHEERS!!
    Sonika




    Posted 25-02-2020 11:50

  • Himani Chand says :
    It's really beautiful concept. Thank you so much for thinking about everyone in every perspectives to make every feasible way.
    Posted 23-02-2020 20:54

  • Arjun Anand says :
    hello theodre
    Your article was informative. I have always wondered what is alternative text and why we nneed to enter that. Thanks for the details.
    regards
    Arjun Anand
    UAE
    Posted 21-02-2020 22:17

  • Aditi Neupane says :
    Thanks Theodore for the information
    Posted 21-02-2020 17:49

  • Jasmine Karki says :
    Greetings

    Thank you so much for this information!!

    Green cheers
    Regards
    Jasmine karki
    Posted 21-02-2020 15:29

  • Sujan Paudel says :
    Thanks for the information
    Posted 21-02-2020 12:49

  • biddhya pandey says :
    Great.
    Thank you for this information
    Posted 21-02-2020 12:31

  • Kalyani Shrestha says :
    Great
    Thanks for this information.
    I too wasn't getting what alternative text actually was.
    Posted 21-02-2020 11:52

  • Theodore Bechlivanis says :
    Thanks for the kind words everyone, I'm glad you found the article helpful. If you have any other accessibility-related questions or need help retouching an article hit me up!
    Posted 21-02-2020 05:39

  • Prabha Bhusal says :
    Hello Theodore,
    Thanks for letting us know about the accessibility of green articles.
    Go green!!
    Posted 21-02-2020 01:23

  • Basanta Pandey says :
    Hello Theodore,
    Thanks for informing the purpose of Alternative text . I did not know its purpose before

    Green cheers from India

    Regards,
    Basanta Pandey
    Posted 20-02-2020 22:39

  • Theodore Bechlivanis says :
    Note: if you're having difficulty noticing the picture upload box in my screenshot, it's probably because it's in Greek! It's directly above the 'Alternative text' word string.
    Posted 20-02-2020 09:07

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