Gardiner Richardson has collaborated with a disability charity to produce a guide to make content more accessible.
Aimed at the marketing and communications sector, the guide has been made with help from the Percy Hedley Foundation.
“Making content more accessible just makes sense – why put all that energy into creating great content if it’s not accessible to everyone. If our brands and communications aren’t accessible, people are excluded from the conversation. This is not only bad for business, but it makes our communities and conversations less rich and less diverse,” explained Jen Hallam, Director at Gardiner Richardson in Newcastle.
“The creation of the guide has allowed us to learn from each other; the students have gained an insight into the industry, and we’ve learnt so much about accessible communications from their lived experience.”
1 in 4 people in the UK report having a disability and the guide provides a checklist to help those working in the communications industry to improve their content and covers content in different forms including written, visual and digital.
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As part of the partnership with Percy Hedley, adult learners spent time in the agency’s office to create accessible content for some of its clients including, Grainger Market.
“Collaborating with employers like Gardiner Richardson has a powerful impact on our students and adult learners as they build their employability skills. This ongoing partnership has given them the chance to contribute meaningfully, boosting their confidence and sense of empowerment,” said Kerry Robinson, Project Manager at Percy Hedley.
“The Accessible Communications Guide is a great example of the real difference our members at the Percy Hedley Foundation can make when supported by forward-thinking, inclusive employers.”
The guide can be downloaded here.
