Email Accessibility

Ensuring the accessibility of your email is essential for providing equal access to information, regardless of the access method used. Follow these best practices to make your email accessible. 

Best Practices:

• Write Descriptive Alternative Text for Images: Describe the purpose, intent, and other important details of the image for users who are unable to view the image.
• Avoid Image-Only Flyers: Do not attach image-only flyers to your email, as they are inaccessible to assistive technologies. Instead, provide an accessible PDF or Word file.
• Offer Plain-Text Descriptions for Attachments and Embedded Content: Provide a plain-text description or summary for embedded images and attachments to offer additional context for users. This is helpful for people who use assistive technology and those who cannot load images (e.g., users with low phone data).
• Write Descriptive Hyperlinks: A hyperlink title should describe the link, its purpose, or where it leads. Ideally, use the webpage's or document's title as the hyperlink title.
• Provide Structure with Headings: Use headings to provide structure and improve readability for messages longer than a few paragraphs.
• Use Proper Lists: Use proper bulleted or numbered lists when presenting lists of information.
• Ensure Readability of Fonts: Avoid handwritten-style fonts, small font sizes, and ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors to maintain readability.
• Make Your Email Mobile-Friendly: Design emails that can be navigated and read easily on mobile devices.
• Provide Accessible Attachments: Ensure all email attachments are accessible and follow document accessibility guidelines.
• Use Accessible Email Templates: Ensure the email templates you create or adopt are accessible.
• Avoid Using Tables for Layout: Do not use tables to create your email layout, as this can cause navigation issues for assistive technology. 
• Conduct an Accessibility Check: Before sending an email, conduct an accessibility check to identify potential accessibility issues. 

Email Accessibility Resources:

• Make Your Outlook Email Accessible to People with Disabilities
• Open Immersive Reader for Outlook
• Accessibility Tools for Outlook
• Improve Accessibility with the Outlook Accessibility Checker 

Email Marketing Platforms

• Constant Contact: Best practices for designing emails for mobile
• Mailchimp: Accessibility in Email Marketing
• Mailchimp: Writing for Accessibility
• Campaign Monitor: Accessibility and Email Campaigns