Communication Tip 37 — Use “DraftFinal” Until the Accessibility Checks Are Done
Your method for report and presentation development should include ways to make sure accessibility is included.
Accessibility matters, so make it part of your report and presentation methodology. Using a “DraftFinal” file extension is one way to make sure the accessibility checks are done.
A Communicating with FINESSE Conference Session
“Is there any way I can get the final version of the PowerPoint slides?” inquired a workshop participant by email. “These slides are the final drafts.”
“They are the finals,” I responded. “I use the extension DraftFinal to indicate I have not done the final accessibility checks.”
That’s odd,” came the reply, “You preach accessibility and it’s a core part of your approach.”
With a smile, I typed, “Well, I am human too. In this case, I am pretty sure they are ok since they came from my training materials. But I did not do that last step on these conference slides so they have to be DraftFinal. Think about doing it too for QC purposes.”
Accessibility Matters
I didn’t get any additional feedback from the exchange, so I am unsure how my explanation was received. I do know that similar exchanges happen several times a year when I provide slides with the “DraftFinal” extension.
Would it be easier to simply call them FINAL every time? Certainly, but that would depreciate my focus on accessibility and my method of beginning and ending with accessibility. Accessibility matters to the 8 to 25 percent of your audience with trouble seeing or hearing. And accessibility matters because the things you do for it create better clarity and understanding for all.
Use “DraftFinal” Until the Accessibility Checks Are Done
Use the file extension DraftFinal until all the final accessibility checks are done. Let DraftFinal be a helpful reminder to you. And let DraftFinal be an honest indicator to you and others if you skipped that last, important step. Accessibility matters.
