What is inclusive video content
In the last decade, more and more people have been popularizing the concept of inclusiveness, advocating for making participation in various social processes easier or possible for people with particular traits. As such, they promote health-related inclusion, encouraging equally including people with disabilities; ethnic-related, when the matter concerns racial or ethnic diversity; gender-related, etc.
Accordingly, when creating inclusive content, the main objective is to achieve equal viewing access for all possible groups of people.
What are inclusive videos
Inclusive videos are video content designed and created to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, background, or circumstances, can access, understand, and benefit from the content. Inclusive videos aim to break down barriers and promote equal opportunities for all viewers.
Creators of diversity and inclusion videos strive to create understandable and easy-to-follow content, catering to the needs of individuals with cognitive disabilities or learning differences. They also consider cultural diversity and avoid perpetuating stereotypes or biases, promoting being culturally sensitive and respectful of various backgrounds and identities.
Why are inclusivity and diversity important
In today's world, inclusivity and diversity offer numerous benefits to individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. They are important for a variety of reasons:
- Reflecting society. A diverse and inclusive organization reflects the real world and is better equipped to understand and serve a broad customer or community base.
- Attracting talent. Organizations that embrace diversity and inclusivity are more attractive to a wide talent pool. People from different backgrounds are more likely to seek employment or engagement in such organizations.
- Enhancing learning and growth. Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences can enrich education and personal growth, fostering tolerance, empathy, and cultural awareness.
- Supporting equality. Inclusivity helps combat discrimination and promote social justice, creating more equitable opportunities for all individuals.
- Cultural competence. Fostering diversity promotes cultural awareness, enabling individuals to interact effectively in a globalized world.
As such, inclusivity and diversity are essential for fostering creativity, empathy, social justice, and individual well-being. They create environments that are fair, equitable, and more dynamic, vibrant, and successful.
How to make inclusive video content
When you plan to create or edit videos, it's best to think about applying the following principles:
- Accessibility. Make sure to provide features like closed captions, subtitles, audio descriptions, and compatibility with assistive technologies to make them accessible to people with disabilities.
- Clear visual design. Avoid distractions and ensure visual content is easy to digest, for example, set suitable contrast for readability. It's better to apply universal design principles to make the videos for the broadest range of people possible, regardless of age, gender, ability, or other factors.
- Representation. If the topic of your video concerns something that many people face, but their experiences vary depending on circumstances, present it from different perspectives; if possible, gather feedback from different people beforehand.
When you finish the first draft, you can also test the video with users to see if you can improve accessibility and other aspects.
FAQs
What is inclusion?
It ensures the content can be viewed by as broad an audience as possible, regardless of their physical or cultural background. This includes providing means for being accessible to people with disabilities and representing a diverse range of people and experiences so that viewers can relate to and feel included in the content.
What are the benefits of making video content more inclusive?
Inclusive content is easier to present to a wider audience due to its accessibility. Plus, discussing different cultures allows for further additions and clarifications by their representatives, making outsiders more aware.
What are the most simple ways to make inclusive videos?
On a technical level, use closed captions or subtitles, audio descriptions, clear and simple language, as well as visuals that are easy to see and understand. Narratively, showcase a range of diverse people and experiences, be respectful of cultural diversity, and avoid stereotypes.
Conclusion
Inclusive videos contribute to a more diverse, equitable, and accessible digital landscape where everyone can engage with and benefit from the content regardless of their individual characteristics and circumstances.