In a group setting, you can help make everyone feel included.
Door Tony Knoderer
For any Kiwanis club, communication is crucial. Without a clear understanding, engagement and enthusiasm falter — whether the club is addressing the community or someone from the community is addressing the club.
Either way, you can make sure everyone feels included during a group presentation. These 10 tips can help account for a range of factors, from audiovisual needs to diverse cultural backgrounds:
- On slides, use font sizes 18-24 points or larger.
- Kies gewone, goed leesbare lettertypen zoals Arial en Georgia.
- Beperk de tekst op dia's tot een minimum (zes tot acht regels per dia en niet meer dan 30 woorden).
- Schrijf in zinsfragmenten, gebruik trefwoorden en opsommingen.
- Blijf weg van harde kleuren en drukke achtergronden.
- Stick with simple animations or don’t use them at all. Audience members with visual impairments or learning disabilities such as dyslexia could have trouble reading words that move.
- Gebruik inclusieve taal die respect toont voor alle mensen en culturen.
- Vermijd seksistisch taalgebruik en opmerkingen op basis van geslacht.
- Ken je publiek - vermijd waar mogelijk acroniemen en zorg ervoor dat anekdotes of humor geschikt zijn voor iedereen.
- Als je software gebruikt, schakel dan automatische bijschriften in, indien beschikbaar.
Of course, one way to avoid communication mishaps is to let at least one other member preview the presentation materials (such as a script and slide deck) and then provide feedback.
Similarly, ask a guest speaker to create those materials ahead of time for review. You might even consider having the speaker sign a basic agreement that outlines expectations.
We offer more guidance — including the tips above — in our downloadable information sheet, “How to Host Inclusive Presentations.” Download a copy and share it (or the webpage link) with fellow members!