Communications Level 5 (16-20 points)

Leading with Communications Excellence

Congratulations! Your assessment indicates your organisation is at Level 5 in the Communications dimension of accessibility maturity. Having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce on digital accessibility is just how things should be done. Accessibility is part of business as usual and great to see it embedded in your organisation’s communications activities. This represents the highest level of communications accessibility.

Organisations at this level:

• Demonstrate accessibility excellence in all forms of communications
• Maintain oustanding feedback systems that drive continuous innovation
• Provide a model accessibility statement that sets the standard for others
• Use exemplary accessible templates that evolve with best practices
• Lead the industry by influencing communications practices with their approach

Sustaining Excellence

To maintain your leadership position:

• Keep innovating in your accessible communications practices
• Share communication strategies and success with other organisations
• Contribute to evolving standards and best practices
• Continue to look for accessibility improvements across your communications channels, or talk to us about specific aspects

Your organisation demonstrates exceptional communications maturity. By sharing this expertise, you can help raise standards for accessible communications throughout the broader community.

Communications Level 4 (12-15 points)

Advanced Accessible Communications

Your assessment indicates your organisation is at Level 4 in the Communications dimension of accessibility maturity. Inaccessible content is no longer permitted though it may occur from time to time. Systems which produce inaccessible comms have been identified and there is a roadmap for replacing them with accessible systems and platforms. This shows your communications consistently incorporate accessibility with high effectiveness.

Organisations at this level typically:

• Demonstrate accessibility excellence in almost all internal and external communications
• Maintain highly effective processes and tools for creating accessible content
• Have advanced feedback systems that ensure prompt responses and effective follow-up action
• Provide an exemplary accessibility statement with comprehensive information
• Include accessibility and inclusive language and representation in style guides and brand guidelines
• Use a complete library of accessible templates for all communications

Key Opportunities

To advance to the highest level of communications maturity:

• Regularly review processes and content for accessibility
• Include with people with disability in customer research about that informs communications and content practices
• Allocate specific budget for accessibility in your annual communications planning
• Maintain an exemplary accessibility statement that serves as a model for others
• Continuously improve templates based on user feedback and evolving accessibility standards and new communication channels
• Develop a library of inclusive imagery, where real people who represent their communities are used in photo shoots

Your organisation demonstrates strong accessibility in communications. The path forward involves refining these practices while driving innovation and excellence.

Communications Level 3 (8-11 points)

Established Accessible Communications

Your assessment indicates your organisation is at Level 3 in the Communications dimension of accessibility maturity. Communications materials are becoming more accessible, though accessibility is far from the default. There are plans to put processes in place though they have still to appear. Training is being provided to equip staff with the necessary skills. This shows you’ve established more substantial practices but still have opportunities for enhancement.

Organisations at this level typically:

• Consider accessibility in most communications
• Are establishing processes and tools for creating accessible content
• Have estbalished feedback channels for reporting accessibility issues
• Have a clear and comprehensive accessibility statement that is easy to find
• Use accessible templates for most common communications

Key Opportunities

To enhance your accessible communications:

• Develop a comprehensive set of accessible document templates (e.g. Word, PowerPoint) and ensure Tye are consistently used
• Integrate accessibility into style guides and branding guidelines
• Treat internal communications with the same level of importance as external communications in terms of accessibility
• Apply accessibility consistently across all forms of communication
• Optimise processes and tools for better accessibility delivery and effectiveness
• Refine feedback processes to ensure prompt responses and effective follow-up action

You’ve built solid accessible communication practices. Your next steps involve ensuring these practices are consistent, efficient, and integrated across all communications.

Communications Level 2 (4-7 points)

Developing Your Accessible Communications

Your assessment indicates your organisation is at Level 2 in the Communications dimension of accessibility maturity. There is activity, but it is still uncoordinated and barely resourced. Enthusiasm has no policy backing though the right noises are being made. This shows you’ve begun incorporating accessibility in communications but still have significant room for growth.

Organisations at this level typically:

• Have begun to consider accessibility in some communications
• Use a few processes and tools to support accessible content creation, but not consistently
• May have basic channels for accessibility issues
• Have a simple accessibility statement that could be improved
• Are in the early stages of developing accessible communication templates

Key Opportunities

To develop more accessible communications:

• Expand accessibility practices more consistently across all communications
• Reduce reliance on a few experts or enthusiastic individuals by helping team members develop accessibility skills
• Update your website’s accessibility statement to highlight accessibility features while being upfront about limitations
• Develop standardised processes and tools for creating accessible content
• Improve feedback mechanisms to ensure they’re effective and responsive
• Create a library of accessible templates for common communications

You’ve made initial progress in accessible communications. Now you can focus on expanding and strengthening these practices to reach all audiences more effectively.

Communications Level 1 (0-3 points)

Beginning Your Accessible Communications Journey

Your assessment indicates your organisation is at Level 1 in the Communications dimension of accessibility maturity. No work on accessibility is happening or if it is it is isolated, uncoordinated and not valued by the organisation as a whole. There may though be some awareness or discussion going on among some staff. Some of the team may be making small improvements in isolation. This suggests that accessibility is not yet consistently integrated into your communications processes and content.

Organisations at this level typically:

• Have little to no focus on accessibility in internal and external communications
• Lack defined processes and tools for producing accessible communications
• Have limited ways for people to provide feedback on accessibility issues
• Likely do not have an accessibility statement published on their website
• Use few accessible templates for communications, or use them inconsistently

Leveling up in communications

To develop more accessible communications:

• Encourage conversations about accessible communications and look for opportunities to improve accessible communications
• Start including basic accessibility considerations in key communications and content
• Begin creating processes to ensure content is delivered in an accessible way
• Publish a basic accessibility statement on your website
• Begin to develop accessible templates for common communication types and channels

Accessible communications are essential for reaching all audiences effectively. Your assessment shows you’re ready to begin building more inclusive communication practices.