It’s time to build accessible news

Mission

Make news more accessible to all audiences so it is more inclusive of those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and those with accessibility needs; and to make jobs more accessible to journalists with disabilities, with chronic illnesses, who are military veterans, and who are caregivers.

Purpose

Build, create, and partner with others to make news more accessible. That includes educating journalists in ways to make news and newsrooms accessible through training, products, and innovation, as well as building products such as news outlets that lead in the industry in accessibility.

Vision

A news industry that is accessible to both journalists and audiences with disabilities, who have chronic illnesses, who are veterans, and who are caregivers so that news is truly a public good for all.

A man reads a computer screen while wearing dark glasses to increase contrast on the screen
A man with low vision wears dark sunglasses as a he looks at a screen. Measures such as the dark sunglasses help with light sensitivity and contrast. In his right hand is a mouse-alternative that uses haptics, or tics and vibrations, to help him navigate his computer.

Breaking down barriers, building up inclusion

News audiences get their information in many different ways:

  • Text articles
  • Podcasts
  • Videos of events
  • Video or audio interviews
  • Videos and audio of reporters explaining the news
  • Simple lists
  • Social media

Some people access those with assistance.

  • Closed captioning
  • Sign language interpretation or translation
  • Braille keyboards
  • Screen readers
  • Other assistive and adaptive technology

Information educates, sparks ideas, builds communities, and strengthens society

That’s why news is a public good.

At Equal Access Public Media, we believe should reach everyone. That means removing barriers to news.

Many qualified people in the journalism industry find themselves underemployed or unemployed when they are disabled, living with a chronic illness, a veteran, or a caregiver. That’s why, EAPM is also working to make the journalism industry a more inclusive industry.

But moving toward more accessible news for those who need it most — disabled people, people with chronic illnesses, veterans with injuries and illnesses from service, and caregivers — means making sure those same people have stable, long-term employment in journalism.

A person uses headphones and Braille keyboard
A Braille keyboard and headphones help this computer user hear and feel the screen reader software that allows them to navigate their computer and the web independently. Websites must be properly coded with HTML and ARIA so those using screen reader software can navigate a site as seamlessly as those using a mouse a visual cues.