Digital FIRST: Your New Acronym for Accessible Content

By Lisa Nielsen
last updated

If you’re thinking paper first, you’re not thinking accessible first.

There may be times when you think it is okay to provide a print/paper only version of content for a student. The reality as is you should do this never, ever, never, never, ever.

Lisa Nielsen

Lisa Nielsen sharing when we should use only a print version of content. Answer: Print only should be used never, ever, ever, ever, never ever. (Image credit: Lisa Nielsen)

That's because, if you’re thinking paper first, you’re not thinking accessible first. 

If content is not digital FIRST, it is not: 

  • Find-able through CTRL+F or tabs
  • Increasable to a variety of sizes 
  • Readable by a screen reader
  • Searchable by search engines 
  • Translatable by Artificial Intelligence

Credit for creating the FIRST acronym to my digital accessibility and inclusion colleagues at the New York City Department of Education: Clay Smith and Patricia Paddock.  

cross posted at The Innovative Educator 

Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several booksand her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Tech&Learning, and T.H.E. Journal.

Lisa Nielsen

Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several books and her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Tech & Learning.  

Disclaimer: The information shared here is strictly that of the author and does not reflect the opinions or endorsement of her employer.