The Importance of Inclusivity in Digital Content

In the digital age, content is everywhere, but not everyone can access or relate to it. That’s why inclusivity in digital content is more important than ever. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or content creator, making your content inclusive means making it accessible, understandable, and welcoming to all.

More and more organizations today are recognizing that digital inclusion is not just a “nice to have”—it’s a necessity. Inclusive content removes barriers, supports accessibility, and reflects the diversity of your audience. From a business perspective, it can also help increase engagement, reach underserved groups, and build long-term trust with users.

But what does inclusive content actually look like in practice? It’s not about making huge, complex changes overnight. Instead, it’s about applying a series of thoughtful, consistent habits that improve the experience for everyone.

Inclusivity isn’t just about compliance. It reflects your values and helps your content reach more people. In this article, we’ll explore five simple and actionable ways to make your digital content more inclusive.

1. Add Alt Text and Captions

People with visual or hearing impairments often rely on assistive tools to access online content. Yet, many websites still miss these basic elements. Including meaningful alt text and accurate captions shows you’ve considered different needs, not just assumed them.

Alt text should clearly describe what’s important in an image. For example, instead of writing “woman”, try “A woman using a laptop with a service dog at her feet.” For captions, avoid relying solely on automatic tools—review and edit them for clarity.

🛠 Tip: Write alt text that focuses on the purpose of the image, and make sure captions include meaningful sounds like [music playing] or [laughter]

2. Use Diverse and Representative Images

The visuals you choose communicate powerful messages. If all your images show the same type of person—such as young, able-bodied, or Western—it may unintentionally exclude people from other backgrounds.

Instead, use photos and illustrations that reflect a mix of ethnicities, body types, ages, gender expressions, and disabilities. This not only promotes representation but also increases user connection and trust.

For example, showing a diverse group of coworkers collaborating or a family with multigenerational members can make your content feel more relatable.

🛠 Tip: When choosing visuals, ask yourself if your content reflects different types of people—age, culture, and ability.

3. Write in Clear and Simple Language

Complex or technical language can be difficult for many people to understand, especially those who are not native speakers or have cognitive disabilities.

To make your content clearer:

• Use short sentences
  
• Avoid jargon
  
• Choose common words and active voice
  

🛠 Tip: Read your content out loud. If it flows easily, your readers will likely understand it too.

4. Test Your Design for Accessibility

Great design should be usable by everyone, not just those with perfect vision or motor control. Many people rely on screen readers, keyboards, or other assistive technologies to navigate online.

Try experiencing your site from their perspective. Can you reach all sections using only the keyboard? Are your buttons and text readable with low contrast or grayscale?

Even a simple check, like printing your page in black and white to see if it’s still readable, can reveal important gaps.

🛠 Tip: Test your site by navigating with only a keyboard. If you can’t access something without a mouse, others can’t either.

5. Listen to Your Audience

Inclusivity isn’t a fixed goal—it’s an ongoing process. No matter how carefully you build your content, there may still be barriers you haven’t noticed. That’s why feedback is so valuable.

Encourage comments and input, especially from people with different abilities or perspectives. Create space for users to speak up and let you know what’s working—and what’s not.

For instance, you can include a simple line at the bottom of your page: “Was anything hard to access? Let us know how we can improve.”

🛠 Tip: Add a short note like “If this content was hard to access, let us know” to show you’re open to improving.

Final Thoughts

Inclusive content benefits everyone. It improves accessibility, increases engagement, and builds trust. More importantly, it shows your audience that you care.

As digital creators, we have the power to shape how people experience the web. A small change in how we write, design, or structure content can have a big impact on someone’s ability to participate and feel included.

The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with one step whether it’s writing better alt text, reviewing your images, or simplifying your language. Over time, these habits can become second nature and transform your approach to content creation.

What are you doing to make your content more inclusive? Share your thoughts and tips about inclusivity in digital content with others, and let’s learn together.

Written by Hiromu Tsuruta