We all learn and absorb information differently, and having the curiosity to ask how someone learns or understands things best is often the kindest thing we can do for a person trying to gain knowledge.
A common misconception is that Web accessibility only applies to websites. Not so! At Hop, we think of it more broadly and consider it a core tenet that applies to how we communicate with each other and with our clients.
One of the less-attended Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria applies to reading level and clarity in content. In essence, this criterion says that “content should be written as clearly and simply as possible.” In our world, this is especially relevant with “tech speak,” that near-gibberish spoken by many web experts and developers. At Hop Studios, we strive to be translators for clients, turning complicated technical language into a form our clients can actually digest.
While our primary role is to create great websites for incredible clients, we also frequently need to act as educators, and being a good educator means understanding that patience and curiosity are crucial tools in supporting others. Sometimes that looks like: answering a question several different ways. Other times, it means recognizing that a lengthy text response could be handled more quickly and effectively with a phone call, by using a screenshot rather than a lot of exposition, or by troubleshooting a complex technical bug in a screen-sharing session. We all benefit when communication is tailored to the content, the task, and/or the recipient!
We hope that during this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, you’ll consider how you best communicate and want to be communicated with, and perhaps even how you could adjust your communication style to help others better understand you. We’re all ears and no judgment when it comes to making your experience working with Hop Studios enjoyable and effective!
Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week to all those beautiful brains out there.