In short: Inclusive presenting means planning so that most people can follow, take part and feel safe to ask. Send slides and notes in advance, use plain and literal language, and say what will happen before it happens. Tell people they can step out or read notes afterwards. Ask the organiser about access arrangements in advance.
Much of inclusive presenting is simply good presenting: a clear structure, plain words and no surprises. The rest is planning for the people who need more predictability, more time or a different way in. None of it needs to be a separate talk.
Plan for predictability
Tell people the structure at the start, and signpost each section as you reach it. Say how long the talk is, when the break falls and whether there is a question session. Warn people before anything sudden: a loud sound, a flashing slide or a change of lighting. The Present Yourself guidance on neurodiverse listeners recommends a direct, present-tense style, which is easier to follow than long conditional sentences.
Use plain and literal language
Simplify the jargon, and define the terms you cannot drop. Be careful with sarcasm and irony, which many listeners take literally. Idioms such as "hit the ground running" do not travel well, particularly to people who have English as an additional language. Replace each one with what you mean.
Language that includes
Use gender-neutral terms where you can, and avoid assumptions about the room. Change your examples for the audience without changing your message. Adapting style and vocabulary for different groups is a normal part of presenting to a mixed room.
Give people choices
Offer slides and notes in advance, in a format that is easy to read. Tell people they can take notes afterwards rather than during. Say that anyone can opt out of an activity that needs them to stand, speak or make eye contact, and say how. If you use captions or a transcript, say where to find them. If the venue has a quiet space or a route with fewer people in it, say where it is before the talk starts.
Steps
- Ask the organiser what access arrangements are already in place.
- Send slides and notes in advance, in large, plain text.
- Open with the structure and the timings.
- Rewrite idioms and sarcasm into literal sentences.
- Offer an alternative to every activity that needs eye contact, sudden movement or a show of hands.
- Ask at the start whether anyone needs anything, and say where to find help during the day.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a room is one kind of listener. Mixed rooms are the normal case.
- Using a sudden sound or a flashing visual without warning.
- Cold-calling people, or asking for a show of hands with no way to opt out.
- Treating accommodation as a favour. Good structure helps every listener.
For what a visual access route looks like, see what is audio description? For the planning questions to ask first, see know your audience.
Related guides
- Know your audience: questions to ask the organiser
- Presenting to Gen Z (and every other generation)
- All guides and tools
The picture at the top of this page is an illustration, not a photograph of a client or a real job.
Questions we get asked
How do I make a presentation accessible to neurodivergent listeners?
Give a clear structure and the timings at the start, use literal and direct language, warn before sudden sounds or flashing visuals, and let people take notes afterwards. Ask the organiser about access arrangements in advance.
Should I avoid idioms and sarcasm when presenting?
Yes, for most audiences. Many listeners take them literally, and they do not translate well for people with English as an additional language. Say what you mean.
Can I ask the audience what they need?
Yes. Ask at the start whether anyone needs anything, and say where to find help during the day. Access needs vary, so ask people rather than guess.
granary.digital · 01243 884993 · studio@granary.digital · The Old Grainstore, Adsdean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9DN · Prices exclude VAT unless marked inc VAT