This checklist is designed for in-person presentations, but many of the recommendations apply to web conferencing.
- Inform attendees in the presentation description and at the start of any writing or reading activities during the meeting so people with visual, cognitive, or motor impairments can fully and equally participate
- Keep the presentation clear, simple, concise, and organized
- Provide an overview of the presentation at the start and a summary of the key points at the end
- Avoid using gestures and visual points of reference
- Use simple language- avoid acronyms, jargon, and idioms
- Keep hands and other objects away from your mouth when speaking
- Use a microphone
- Speak in well-modulated tones and at a pace that allows interpreters to interpret accurately and persons with learning and cognitive impairments to process
- Describe verbally all visual materials (e.g., slides, charts, overheads, videos) in detail
- Ensure that visual content is accessible and electronically available prior to the meeting
- Provide Alt text/Image descriptions for all images
- Allow participants extra time to look at visual materials (for instance, individuals who use interpreters cannot look at both the interpreter and the materials simultaneously and persons with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments need time to process the information)
- Use multiple communication methods for different learning styles (verbal information, pictures and diagrams, text, auditory)
- Give people time to process information by pausing between topics
- Check in with participants to ensure that presentation is understood and clarify if needed
- Provide a verbal overview of information in textual materials
- When reading directly from text, provide an advance copy for interpreters, captioners, and end-users and pause slightly when interjecting information not in the text
- Provide audio descriptions if requested (i.e., describe facial expressions, body language, actions, and costumes) and captioning or CART access for all videos if accommodation is requested
- Make materials available in advance of the meeting to allow persons with learning and other cognitive impairments, as well as interpreters and other support personnel, to familiarize themselves with the materials and ask any questions
- Prepare all materials (papers, PowerPoints, agendas, slides) in electronically accessible alternative formats
- Make electronic versions of materials available in plain text, rich text, or Microsoft Word
- Allow recording of meetings as an accommodation
- Allow for regular breaks (about every 45 minutes) for questions and answers; people/service animals restroom; access service providers such as interpreters, CART providers, notetakers, readers