Make your Substack Publication more accessible...
Simple Tools we have on Substack and beyond to be as welcoming as possible...
Hi folks
Today’s post is one I’ve wanted to write for a while so that you can also give the topic of accessibility inside your Substack publication some thought.
Hopefully, it’s and in service to you all.
We want to remove barriers to people being able to consume and connect with our work at a deeper level.
We need to strive for quality experiences for all. We need to be conscious of disability and neurodiversity, of language and strive to be open hearted in the way we meet out readers/ subscribers.
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Expansive channels of creative expression…
We are writing and curating in mixed media ways whether we are conscious of it or not…
Last year, I had a chat with a member here; the lovely Jo Taylor (*) about accessibility and the way folks are reading and connecting to our work. I’m not an expert in this area but I’ve always leant into learning more as knowledge and technology has moved on rapidly.
I love that Substack video offers captions not least because I consume the internet in silence. I delve into my favourite cheerleading voices through podcasts for daily car drives and dog walks. I love a silent work space here in our studio - any day now it might be possible. 1
When I was working in festivals and events, our arts budgets were cut. We had to do more with less.
In some cases, knew providing accessible options would eat into contingency or my own pocket as the project manager but I still prioritised access. I found the easiest way was to ask people to tell me what they needed to feel included and welcome. We always have a choice to ask…
What do you need to feel included and more welcome here at
?“Assume your needs are reasonable” Kathryn May
Thank you Jo for making this audio to help us better connect to a more open mind…
A transcript is also included…
Here are 17 other things to consider when it comes to making your presence here as accessible as possible to as many people as possible…
1. Website/ Substack Accessibility
Think about the desktop/ website experience - ensure your Substack publication is easy to navigate for everyone. Think about what everyone means.
Use clear, readable fonts – Avoid overly decorative fonts for body text. Stick to high contrast (e.g., black text on a light background).
Be cautious of colour - I chatted with Jeff Adams ( a subscriber) who gave me this fantastic resource to check your contrast. THINK - Never use yellow with white - 🐝
Alt text for images – Describe images in alt text so screen readers can interpret them.
Captions & transcripts – If you have videos or podcasts, provide captions and transcripts for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Avoid flashing elements/ gifys – They can trigger seizures and also be overwhelming for neurodivergent visitors. This is a personal bug bear of mine here. Stop flashing things at me please!! ✋🏽
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2. Content Accessibility
Make your content more digestible for a diverse audience:
Break up long paragraphs – Use shorter sentences, bullet points, and headings for clarity and ease of readability.
Use plain language where possible – Not everyone has English as their first language, don’t use acronyms or complex jargon. If you do, unpack it please.
Offer multiple formats – For example, if you have a Substack post, consider recording a short audio version for those who prefer listening.2
Dyslexia-friendly fonts & spacing – Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Open Dyslexic can be easier to read.
Language translations - Chat GPT can translate for you. If I have a member join with an alternative first language I welcome them in their language with a dm. Go the extra mile. If you upload your video to YouTube, captions will be available in your watcher’s language.
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3. Audio Accessibility
Make sure your content is easy to access for people with hearing or visual impairments, as well as those who prefer different formats:
Provide transcripts – Offer a full transcript of your podcast episodes or audio content. This also helps with SEO!
Clear audio quality – Use a good mic, remove background noise, and ensure voices are distinct.
Structured format – Announce segments clearly so listeners can follow along.
Slow down – Speak at a steady pace, and avoid overly complex sentences.
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4. Video Accessibility
Add Captions – Add accurate captions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Substack allows captions, and tools like Descript can help.
Audio descriptions – If your video has key visual elements, offer an audio description for visually impaired users.
Text contrast & size – If you add text overlays, ensure they are large, readable, and high-contrast.
Sign language interpreters (if possible) – If your audience includes people who use sign language, consider adding an interpreter for important videos.
Multiple formats – Offer your video as both a video and an audio download so people can choose their preferred way to engage.
Huge thanks to Jeff and to Jo for collaborating with me to write this resource for you all. If you appreciated it, you can share it with your audience. I’d welcome more resources in the comments so I can build a resource library we can all refer to.
Claire
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(*) Jo is a maker, grower, musician and artist/photographer, nurturing a life-long devotional practice of weaving nature and ritual into the everyday. Her publication is called
, which is a place for seekers of untamed edges, the imperfect and the meaningful. With twice monthly tales from the woods, garden and hearth you’re invited to gather in, rest and deepen your relationship with the beguiling beauty and feral corners of the natural world.
I feel like a broken record but our next door neighbour has been doing building work and renovation for 15 months. 😵💫
Remember, using audio grows your Substack publication 2.5 times faster than writing alone.
 | A guest post by
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Substack offers so much to and for, those of us with a history of being excluded for a wide range of reasons.
A lack of awareness and not being included in discussions so that decisions have been made for us, but ‘without us’ continues.
I really appreciate the time, knowledge and work that has gone into this piece, and hope it starts an important discussion that the Substack founders read and respond to.
A few other suggestions I would add are:
Always include recordings, especially of workshops and courses offered to paid subscribers. I need to watch everything in small chunks, and will often listen and read a transcript too.
Related to this, please make it clear in all information sent out, and at the start of a class that everyone can attend in the way that is best, most comfortable and safest, for them…for example, I will always need to have my camera off.
I appreciate those who already do this, but still too often have to explain why this is. It is so often assumed that it’s due to some kind of camera shyness. It isn’t, it’s due to how the neurological impact of my conditions affect how my eyes track and process movement.
At it’s mildest it causes motion sickness, but that can trigger a cascade of other responses throughout my body and nervous system, that at it’s most severe has caused blackouts. Having to explain this is both exhausting, and though not intended, it is intrusive, and othering.
I have learned how to manage this through very hard experience, as I know many others living with chronic illnesses have, and I would now like to not have to explain, or be put under pressure.
Inclusion and equality of access makes good business sense too. There are millions of us worldwide waiting for this illusion of ‘normal’ to become history, and to finally have the freedom of access and opportunity so many take for granted.
This is very much appreciated. Specific fonts for easier reading and contrasts with background color is huge.
I enjoy adding audio for all my posts and describe the photos. It gives me some liberty to add other details that come up as I’m reading my post.
Providing accessibility to everyone is what makes this community so powerful and connected.
Thank you!❤️