Presenter Toolkit: Presenting Practices

The following is an excerpt from the Presenter Toolkit: Creating and Facilitating an Accessible Presentation by Rebecca Shortt. The Presenter Toolkit was created to support presenters in creating accessible and inclusive online and in-person presentations.

Describe and read everything on your slide. This will help people who are blind or have limited vision understand what is on the slide.
Minimize the amount of text on slides.
When you advance a slide, pause to allow everyone — including those who are deaf or hard of hearing — to read the slide before you start talking.

Using PowerPoint or Google Slides, you can turn on live transcriptions to create captioning of your spoken word.
Live transcriptions of your words help accommodate individuals in the audience who may be deaf or hard of hearing.
PowerPoint Live Captioning
Google Slides Live Captioning

Use gender-inclusive language (e.g., instead of phrases like “ladies and gentlemen,” and “hi, guys,” consider “folks,” “everyone,” “attendees,” or “participants”).
Be aware that people might prefer either person-first or identity-first language. The video Person First or Identity First Language explains these terms.
Avoid generalizations and stereotypes.
Avoid using jargon and acronyms. If you do use them, explain what they mean in plain language.
Words Matter: Guidelines for Inclusive Language [PDF]

Use a microphone if one is provided. There will be a variety of hearing levels in your audience. Do not ask if people can hear you without using the microphone.
Speak at a normal level: you do not need to shout or whisper. The microphone is meant to amplify your normal speaking voice.
Cough away from the microphone.
Pass around the microphone to participants asking questions or engaging in large group discussions.
How to speak with a microphone
What you are saying when you say “I don’t need a mic”

Offer verbal or written notices before sharing potentially sensitive content – these allow participants to prepare themselves to engage or disengage for their own wellbeing.
Before your scheduled presentation place content warnings on your session description in the schedule.
Content and Trigger Warnings
An Introduction to Content/Trigger Warnings

When planning activities that require movement, reflect on the accommodations required for those who have limited mobility, are blind, vision impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. If these participants cannot be accommodated, consider changing the activity.
Before your scheduled presentation describe planned activities in your session description on the schedule. This allows attendees to decide if they can participate or not.
Before your scheduled presentation upload any handouts to your session description on the schedule. This allows participants to use them on their computer if needed. Ensure your handouts are accessible and easily navigated by a screen reader.
At in-person events, ask event staff to assist you in moving chairs, tables, podiums, or any objects that block pathways or field of vision.

Here are some more resources to help create an accessible and inclusive presentation:

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