Accessibility in PR and Communications

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant and writer, interviews Matisse Hamel-Nelis, founder and principal of Matisse Nelis Consulting. They discuss the importance of digital accessibility in public relations and communications. Matisse explains her background, her work in teaching, and her PR & Lattes blog and podcast.Matisse emphasizes the importance of making digital content accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. They discuss practical steps for ensuring content such as videos, PDFs, and social media posts are inclusive.Matisse shares her journey into the realm of accessible communications and highlights several companies leading by example. The conversation also addresses the growing significance of including accessibility in strategic planning, training, and overall communication efforts.Matisse encourages starting small and progressing with intention, ensuring that all audiences can fully engage with and benefit from the information shared.00:00 Welcome to PR Explored00:20 Meet Matisse Hamel-Nellis03:39 The Importance of Accessibility in PR04:18 Defining Accessibility in Communications06:02 The Market Impact of Accessibility08:46 Challenges and Solutions in Digital Accessibility13:51 Learning from Mistakes16:45 Practical Tips for Accessible Communications22:21 Avoiding Hashtag Mistakes23:58 Testing and Engaging for Accessibility25:33 Importance of Integrated Audio Descriptions26:00 Camel Case vs Pascal Case26:49 Brands Leading in Accessibility29:34 Making Trends Accessible32:17 The Growing Importance of Captions34:31 Encouraging Accessibility in Organizations39:08 Starting Your Accessibility Journey42:52 Progress Over Perfection45:04 Final Thoughts and ResourcesMatisse Hamel-Nelis' site: https://matissenelis.com/Michelle Garrett's site: www.michellegarrett.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUsX/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUsThreads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergalMichelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available nowBook a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here.About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.Follow the host: Website: www.michellegarrett.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUsX/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUsThreads: https://www.threads.com/@prwritergalMichelle's book - B2B PR That Gets Results - is available nowBook a no-obligation call to talk about your needs here. About the host: Michelle Garrett is a B2B PR consultant, media relations consultant, writer and author of B2B PR That Gets Results, an Amazon Best Seller. She helps companies create content, earn media coverage, and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry. Michelle’s articles have been featured by Entrepreneur, Content Marketing Institute, Muck Rack, and Ragan’s PR Daily, among others. She’s a frequent speaker and podcast guest on public relations and content. Michelle has been repeatedly ranked among the top ten most influential PR professionals.