When making a presentation, try to make it inclusive by addressing these recommendations. At the bottom of the page you will find two examples.
Icebreakers help make the audience comfortable and encourage interaction, especially in diverse or unfamiliar groups. Studies in educational psychology show that starting with an interactive element helps reduce anxiety and encourages participation from quieter individuals.
Speaking at a moderate pace ensures that all audience members, including non-native speakers and those with hearing difficulties, can follow. According to The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), speaking slowly with clear enunciation is essential for improving comprehension for people with hearing impairments.
Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences. Explaining difficult terms ensures everyone can follow along. The Plain Writing Act (US GOV >) encourages federal agencies to use clear communication to improve understanding for diverse audiences.
Use images, graphs, and videos, but always describe them for visually impaired attendees. According to WCAG, including alternative text or descriptions of images ensures accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Interactive elements, such as live polls or questions, ensure audience engagement and make the presentation more inclusive. Studies on active learning show that asking questions and soliciting feedback improves comprehension and retention.
Ensure high contrast, large fonts, and minimal text to avoid overwhelming the audience. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends keeping slides clean and simple to enhance accessibility.
Sources:
The presentation in the image below has too much text on it.
Consider using large fonts and minimal text to avoid overwhelming the audience.
The presentation in the image below is a good practice:
