Have you ever had an experience where afterward, it’s like you are floating on a cloud? You find that you can’t stop smiling, and you just want the feeling to last forever? I had one of those moments today after speaking with Prairie Communicators, the local chapter of North Dakota Professional Communicators.
I was nervous that what I wanted to share about digital accessibility wouldn’t be of interest to the group, or that they would have expectations I wouldn’t be able to fulfill.
I didn’t ask in advance how many people usually attend these talks, and my hope was that at least a few would show up. I was pleasantly surprised when 12 people arrived in the meeting room reserved at a local coffee shop.
These were my people and it was so easy to connect with them. I talked about what digital accessibility is, how it fits in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and how I consider accessibility when I create communications. I then explained how digital accessibility shouldn’t be viewed as something new that communicators need to learn, but rather as an enhancement to what they already know how to do well.
As I looked around the room, my fellow communicators seemed genuinely engaged and interested, and I was energized by their presence. Some work for state government and are facing the pressure of ensuring all their digital materials are accessible by April 2026. What I was discussing wasn’t something they were hearing for the first time. Anticipating their attendance, I had a very clear and specific intention with them in mind: I wanted to provide encouragement and help them see that their work to make communications accessible is making a difference in the lives of those they serve. I also wanted to help them realize they’re not alone in learning how to create accessible communications—that I see their challenges and am cheering them on.
My favorite part was the question time at the end. While I answered what was asked, what was truly heartwarming was the conversation about accessibility that ensued amongst everyone. Some shared that this was the first time they heard about accessibility as it applies to communications and they were grateful for the information and resources I shared for them to start learning more. An experienced state communicator I’ve known for quite awhile supported my message by reiterating that digital accessibility isn’t about perfection, but about learning and making gradual progress.
As I’m writing this, it’s been over six hours since I talked with Prairie Communicators, and I’m still smiling. I don’t think the 12 people who came today realize how much their time, attention, and conversation meant to me.
They showed me something I needed to see: that my passion for digital accessibility matters, that my experience has value, and that what I have to share can make a real difference. They reminded me why I do this work—to help communicators see that creating accessible content isn’t just about compliance. It’s about making sure that our communications are crafted in a way that all members in our target audience, including those with disabilities, can independently perceive, navigate, and understand our messages.
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