“Unusually inclusive.”
That was the feedback I received after a recent workshop, and it stuck with me.
Inclusion isn’t a feature you toggle on once the Zoom starts. It starts way earlier, and it continues throughout.
✨ Here are 10 ways to build accessibility and inclusion into your workshop from start to finish. Feel free to borrow or steal these tips for your own inclusive practice:
- In your invitation, share what accessibility measures are already in place (captions, described visuals, optional participation), and invite requests.
- Make participation optional: cameras off, silent presence, skipping breakout rooms… all totally fine. No need to explain.
- Set expectations early: What’s the session for? Who is it for? How long will it last? Will there be breaks? This helps reduce anxiety and supports pacing.
- Turn on captions and explain how to activate, resize, or hide them. Don’t assume people know.
- Describe visuals out loud, especially charts, images, or anything not captured by captions.
- Use multiple ways to participate: chat, voice, emoji reactions, or just listening. All are valid.
- Repeat key info in the chat: it helps those who joined late, process visually, or use screen readers.
- Offer a silent breakout room, for those who need company but not conversation.
- Explain how to get help, who to message if something isn’t working, and who the host is.
- Close with kindness: summarise next steps (if any), thank people for showing up however they could, and keep the door open for feedback.
👉 These are not advanced features. They’re basic ways to acknowledge that access needs vary, and that everyone deserves to feel safe and seen.
Marie Dubost is an accessibility facilitator and trainer. She originally posted this content on her profile.
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