Email remains a primary channel for communication—but it’s also an easy place for accessibility to fall through the cracks. Following a few basic practices can help ensure your newsletters are readable, navigable, and functional for all recipients, including those using assistive technologies.
Key Considerations for Accessible Email
- Use Sufficient Color Contrast
Ensure there is strong contrast between background and text colors. Avoid relying solely on color to convey meaning (e.g., “Click the red button”). For the most part our pre-made email templates will keep you out of trouble with color contrast, but they also won’t stop you from introducing issues! Avoid customizing colors, but if you must, check them first on a tool like WebAIM’s contrast checker. - Use Descriptive Link Text
Links should clearly describe their destination or purpose. Avoid vague phrases like “click here” or “read more”. Instead, use text like “View the full event schedule”. - Include Alt Text for Images
All images should have alternative text that describes their content or function. If an image is decorative and provides no meaningful content, use empty alt text (alt="") so screen readers can skip it. - Provide a Plain Text Version
The mass email platform provides a box to enter the plain text version of your email–always use it. Many email clients and assistive technologies rely on this version, and it ensures your message remains readable even if the styled version fails to render. It also ensures your message will be readable by those who set their preferences to only plain text to avoid flashy marketing spam. - Use Clear Headings and Structure
Organize your content with logical headings and avoid using images or unusual fonts to mimic headings. Headings are a navigational tool, not visual flavor. Any document, including email newsletters, should follow a normal heading structure in which the levels of headings reflect how ideas are grouped. - Avoid Image-Only Emails
Never embed all your content in a single image. Screen readers can’t parse it, and the email becomes inaccessible to anyone who blocks or can’t load images.