Newsletters

Accessible newsletters help families and staff quickly scan, understand, and act on information, especially on mobile devices.

Clear structure and readable formatting are essential.

Use headings to organize content, keep paragraphs brief, and write descriptive link text that explains where each link goes. Add alt text to images and ensure important details are available as text, not locked inside graphics or attachments. Avoid attaching PDFs when the information can be shared directly in the newsletter body.

Most importantly, always use an email-based platform to distribute newsletters.

Why This Matters

Email readers and assistive technologies depend on clean structure, readable text, and meaningful links.

Do

• Use a web-based/email-based platform, a website post or a Google Doc to provide website content.
• Use the appropriate heading structure, as well as short paragraphs
• Add alt text to all images
• Use descriptive links
• Use high contracts
• Use simple, readable fonts with a minimum of 11 pt

Don’t

• Don’t use PDFs to provide newsletter content. PDFs are
  • Not often mobile friendly
  • Difficult or impossible for screen readers to access
  • May require extra software or steps to open.
• Never embed critical information in flyers, graphics, or images.
• Don’t overload newsletters with images only
• Do not rely on color to convey meaning.

Resources