Inclusivity in Business Branding and Materials

One of the initiatives M3 Group has been working on in 2023 is Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. We took a deep dive into our website, our marketing materials and our team to grade ourselves on how our own business was doing. 

We sure learned a lot — and we used what we learned to update our M3 Group website as well as that of our publication, 517 Magazine. 

We’re proud to have watched our website compliance scores jump up exponentially, but we’ve also learned there is always something new to consider and that we can’t just be complacent with the updates. 

We digress. Let’s look into exactly what ADA compliance means for your business. 

ADA compliance generally means complying with requirements and recommendations to allow people with disabilities the same opportunities as the general population.  

Surely, your workplace has taken ADA compliance into the building’s consideration. If you’re unsure, a great way to get a gauge on your compliance level is putting yourself in the place of a person with disabilities. Do you have a ramp at the correct height for your building? Are bathroom doors wide enough for a wheelchair? Are there furniture placements that would be problematic for someone who is visually impaired?  

Do you use those same considerations with your brand and its materials?  

Your website and digital content should be as accessible as possible to those with disabilities. Certain businesses are required to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Web content should be accessible to those who must navigate by voice, screen readers or other assistive technologies.  

But what about your printed materials?   

A few tips for making your materials inclusive to those with disabilities include:    

• Use straightforward language in an active voice.  
• Avoid complex terms.  
• Use consistent headings to help the reader navigate materials.  
• Use short sentences and paragraphs.  
• Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Helvetica and Verdana.   
• Use fonts in larger sizes, 14 point (18.67px) and up.  
• Use high-contrast colors for text and background (use this tool to check digital contrast for yourself). 
• Consider offering your materials in braille or an audio format.  
• Use visuals to break up paragraphs.  
• Left alignment is preferred.  
• Use a matte or non-glossy finish to cut the glare.  
• Avoid complicated background designs.  
• Don’t be afraid of white space — let the content breathe.  

For more information on ADA compliance, visit ada.gov.  

If you’d like help with making your website or brand materials more compliant, contact us at m3group.biz.