Accessible Email Design Made Easy With AI: Tips And Tools

Accessible Email Design Made Easy With AI: Tips And Tools

Picture this: 1.3 billion people, or 1 in 6 globally, live with significant disabilities. This isn't just a stat for marketers—it's a CTA.

We need to create email campaigns that everyone can use. When new tools emerge to support accessible design, it's because there's a real need and high demand. The more we discuss and prioritise accessibility, the better it gets for everyone.

Take a look at Google Trends over the past year. 

And you'll see that search interest in “email accessibility” has increased overall. It reveals a growing recognition of the need to make emails accessible to all. With the buzz around optimising email design and coding with AI, even more businesses are eager to close the accessibility gap. 

So, let’s dive in and explore the essential strategies and top AI tools to design accessible email campaigns that are also exceptional.

What is Email Accessibility?

Email accessibility is the process of writing, designing, and coding emails that everyone, including people with disabilities, can easily read and understand. For instance, links are typically blue, but what if someone can't see that colour? 

Accessible emails use design best practices to increase the likelihood that all recipients will effectively read and understand your message.

Why is Accessible Email Design So Important?

In 2022, the world sent and received 333 billion emails daily. By 2026, this number is expected to soar to 392.5 billion daily emails.

But with all that communication, are we reaching everyone we intend to? Not quite. Standard emails often leave people behind, especially those with disabilities.

Creating accessible emails takes effort, and while your intentions as designers and marketers might be noble, the extra work can sometimes deter you from adhering to email accessibility standards. It's a common challenge. Many companies say accessibility is essential (77%!), yet only a tiny fraction (8%) walk the walk.

So, if you're one of the 77% who believe in accessibility but haven't quite achieved it, the following insights about email accessibility might make you rethink your email design strategies.

Large Population Living With Different Disabilities

Over 2.2 billion people worldwide have near or distant vision impairments. Approximately 300 million individuals are colour-blind—equivalent to the entire population of the United States. And let's not forget the 780 million people globally who have dyslexia struggling with reading and comprehension.

When you prioritise accessibility, you ensure that people with disabilities can access information and content easily.

Compliance

While there isn't a universal law mandating accessible email design, regulations like the ADA (US) and the Equality Act (UK) have been interpreted to encompass digital communication in specific contexts, especially for government agencies and public institutions. 

Additionally, industries like healthcare, education, and finance often have specific accessibility guidelines they must follow. By designing inclusive emails, you're not just following best practices but potentially complying with legal requirements.

Stronger Customer Connections

Accessible emails demonstrate that you value your subscribers as individuals, not just email addresses. By ensuring everyone can easily access your content, you show you understand their needs and respect their diverse experiences. This aligns perfectly with the growing consumer desire for personalisation, as highlighted by the Marigold 2024 Global Consumer Trends Index, where 85% of consumers crave individual treatment from brands.

Increased Reach

Sure, legal regulations might nudge some companies towards accessible email design. But the benefits go far beyond just ticking a box. By building accessibility into your emails, you're opening your campaigns to a massive, often overlooked audience. 

People with disabilities, those in limited internet environments, and even users with temporary limitations (like a broken arm) can all struggle with standard emails. Accessible design ensures your message reaches everyone, expanding your reach and fostering a more inclusive brand image. Accessible email design isn't just ethically sound; it's smart business.

Enhanced Engagement and Subscriber Retention

Accessible emails ensure everyone can effortlessly understand your content and interact with your calls to action (CTAs). This directly translates to increased engagement as subscribers won't be frustrated by barriers to accessing your message or taking the desired action. 

Furthermore, accessibility fosters subscriber loyalty. When subscribers feel included and their needs are considered, they're more likely to remain engaged with your emails in the long run, reducing unsubscribe rates and boosting your overall email program performance.

The Digital Divide

Accessible email design isn't just about physical limitations. Slow data connections and older devices can frustrate everyone's email experience. Accessible emails level the playing field and ensure everyone has an equal chance to access information and participate online.

How to Create Accessible Email Designs?

So, do you want to create stunning email campaigns and reach everyone on your list? Accessible email design makes it possible! 

Designing accessible email campaigns ensures everyone can enjoy and engage with your content regardless of their abilities. Here’s a comprehensive guide to improving your email accessibility:

Use Real Text Over All-image Emails

Designing your emails entirely as images in programs like Photoshop and then dropping these images into a simple HTML template might seem like a shortcut to a stunning design. But it creates a significant accessibility roadblock. Why?

Many email clients turn off images by default for security reasons. Using real text ensures your message gets through, no matter what.

Assistive technologies like screen readers can't read text embedded within images. Screen readers can't convey your email to visually impaired users if your email is one big image.

Relying on images for text content can also create readability problems. Screen enlargers and zoom settings often make image-based text blurry and challenging to read. 

Using HTML to structure your email with text ensures everyone gets the message loud and clear.

Switching to actual text in HTML doesn’t mean kissing goodbye to beautiful design. You can still create visually stunning emails that are also accessible.

Add Alt Text for Images

Many people have image downloading turned off or use screen readers that can't interpret visuals. For such subscribers, alt text is a lifesaver. Take a moment to write clear, concise descriptions for your images, explaining what they show. Some email clients like Outlook block images by default, so this step is vital.

Choose Readable Fonts and Sizes

• Font Choice: Stick with sans-serif fonts for the body text. They’re easier to read, though high-res displays have made serif fonts less of a problem.
• Font Size: Bigger is better. Aim for at least 16 px.
• Alignment: Keep text left-aligned. It’s just easier on the eyes.
• Spacing: Ensure your letters and lines aren’t too cosy. The W3C recommends line spacing of 1.5 to 2 for better readability.

Don’t Rely on Colour Alone

Using colour to convey meaning can leave some subscribers in the dark—literally. People with colour blindness might miss out on your message if it’s colour-dependent. Pair colours with text or shapes to make sure everyone gets the point. And remember, screen readers, can’t interpret colours.

Ensure Good Colour Contrast

Have you ever tried squinting your eyes for reading light grey text on a white background? Not fun. Ensure enough contrast between your text and background to make reading effortless. Use tools like WebAim’s Color Contrast Checker to hit that sweet spot of a 4.5:1 contrast ratio.

Mindful of White Space

Whitespace creates a clean and breathable design, making it easier for everyone to navigate your message. This is especially important for subscribers with ADD/ADHD.

Keep It Dark Mode Ready

More and more people are using dark mode. Find out how your email design renders in dark mode to avoid any accessibility issues.

Pick Accessible Design Email Templates

Many email platforms like Mailchimp offer pre-built templates that prioritise accessibility. Take advantage of them! One or two-column layouts are your best bet—they’re easier to read on any device. And while you’re at it, skip the overly flashy animations and chaotic designs.

Mailchimp's other email accessibility features include plain-text emails for screen readers, keyboard navigation, AI-suggested alt text for images, and an AI assistant for concise content. Users can also structure emails with semantic HTML and adjust font sizes easily.

Hierarchy For Visually Prioritising Information

You can create easy-to-scan and understand emails using different text sizes, colours, and placement. Think bold, high-contrast headlines followed by smaller chunks of text, with plenty of white space to separate sections. This makes it a breeze for everyone to grasp your message quickly.

Make CTAs Clear and Clickable

Your call-to-action (CTA) buttons should be easy to notice. Aim for buttons around 48×48 pixels, with reasonable spacing around them. And skip vague phrases like “click here.” Go for clear, action-oriented text like “Read our AMP email guide.”

Don't be intimidated by accessibility! Many features are user-friendly, free, and take little time to implement. You might already follow some of these best practices for email accessibility in your email design.

Responsive Email Template Design

Accessible emails cater to a diverse audience with varying needs. One crucial aspect of achieving this is by utilising responsive email design. This ensures your emails automatically adjust and display correctly across different screen sizes, whether smartphones, tablets, or desktop computers. Responsive design lets subscribers comfortably read your content and interact with your calls to action (CTAs) regardless of their device.

Now that you know the basic email design best practices for email accessibility, let's move to AI-powered tools and explore how AI can help you make your email designs more accessible 

Did you get the hang of essential email design practices for accessibility? Great! Now, let's shift gears to AI-powered tools. These tools can amp up your email designs and make them more accessible. Ready to dive in?

Top 7 AI-Powered Tools to Make Your Emails More Accessible

1 – Alt Text Generation

One crucial aspect of email accessibility is providing clear descriptions for your images. But crafting the perfect alt text can be time-consuming. This is where the Ahrefs Alt Text Generator comes in and becomes a valuable tool for AI for Email Accessibility!

Ahrefs, known for its SEO tools, has a handy Image Alt Text Generator that improves email accessibility and image SEO. This tool uses advanced AI to create descriptive alt text based on the content of your image.

To use AI for Email Accessibility with Ahrefs:

• Go to the Ahrefs Image Alt Text Generator.
• Upload your image.
• Click “Generate alt text” to get descriptive text instantly.

2 – AI Summary Generator

Keeping your email content clear and concise is essential for accessibility, especially for readers with cognitive disabilities. The Semrush AI Summary Generator is your go-to tool for effortlessly creating concise summaries.

Semrush's AI analyses your content and identifies the key points. It then generates a shorter version highlighting the most critical information, all while maintaining clarity and flow. This is a fantastic tool for ensuring your emails are accessible to people with cognitive disabilities who might struggle with lengthy content.

Here's how it works:

• Head over to the Semrush AI Summarizer 
• Copy the text you want to summarise (from your email draft, for example).
• Paste the text into the box labelled “Your text.”
• Click “Summarize.”

By leveraging the power of AI for Email Accessibility, the Semrush AI Summarizer helps you create straightforward, concise emails that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their reading abilities.

3 – AI-Powered Colour Palette Generator

If you want to eliminate the guesswork of creating accessible colour schemes for your emails, colour palette generators are your best bet. 

These tools help you generate colour schemes that meet WCAG standards, ensuring that your designs are easy to see for everyone, including those with visual impairments.

Case in point: Venngage Color Palette Generator. This nifty tool is free and easy to use—no sign-up is needed.

Simply input a HEX code or let the AI generate random palettes. In seconds, you'll have a selection of beautiful colour combinations that meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. Once you find the perfect palette, simply download the HEX codes for easy integration into your email design software.

Rest assured, every colour palette from Venngage boasts a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 when paired with black text. This ensures clear readability for everyone, including those with visual impairments.

4 – Readability Tool

Imagine having a trusty editor by your side, helping you make your emails crystal clear and engaging. That’s precisely what the Hemingway Editor does! 

It’s a valuable tool in your AI for Email Accessibility arsenal that enables you to simplify your language, making your emails accessible to everyone, including those with cognitive disabilities.

Here's how it can help you craft emails that are accessible and easy to understand:

• Identifies complex sentences and encourages you to break them down into shorter, simpler ones. This improves readability for everyone, especially those who might find long sentences challenging to follow.
• Flags excessive use of adverbs, which can weaken your writing.
• Estimate the reading level of your text.

By incorporating Hemingway Editor's AI-powered suggestions, you can create emails that are not only accessible but also engaging and impactful.

5 – AI-Powered Screen-Reader Accessibility Testing

Creating accessible emails can feel daunting, especially if you're not a web developer. But don't worry! Tools like accessiBe offer a helping hand, making accessibility achievable for everyone.

While accessiBe is designed with developers in mind, email marketers can leverage its power, too! Here's why:

• Run accessibility scans on your emails quickly. Upload your email design or paste your HTML code into accessiBe's platform.
• accessiBe's AI analyses your email for potential accessibility issues, focusing on screen reader optimisation and keyboard navigation. It then provides clear instructions and suggestions for fixing them.

6 – Comprehensive Suite of Tools For Email Accessibility – Email On Acid

Email On Acid’s Accessibility tool scans your email HTML and design elements, then automatically updates the code to ensure it communicates effectively with everyone. No more sending designs back to your developer or starting from scratch. It’s all done for you.

This tool can build accessibility testing into your quality assurance workflow. Email on Acid checks your campaign against critical standards, such as the WCAG. It automatically optimises some code and lets you fix other issues with a simple click.

With automatic colour contrast adjustments and comprehensive accessibility reports, Email On Acid ensures your emails are accessible and visually appealing. 

7 – All-in-One Email Marketing with Built-In Accessibility

Litmus is an email marketing platform that doesn't just help you craft beautiful emails and seamlessly integrates accessibility checking into your workflow. There is no need for separate tools or complicated processes!

Here's how it simplifies email accessibility for you:

• Litmus automatically scans your email design for potential accessibility issues and ensures you catch problems early, saving you time and ensuring a smooth launch.
• It provides clear and actionable steps to fix them. You'll receive specific recommendations to address accessibility concerns, making remediation quick and effective.
• Whether you're crafting your email in the Builder or testing it in Previews & QA, Litmus' accessibility features are readily available. This allows you to prioritise accessibility at every stage of the email creation process.
• Litmus provides four colour vision deficiency filters that simulate how your email would display for subscribers with specific visual impairments. This allows you to preview your email through different lenses, ensuring inclusive email design for everyone.
• These filters are available in Builder, Previews & QA, and Proof. This means you can assess the accessibility of your email design throughout development, catching potential issues early and making adjustments as needed.

Curious about the cost? Check out their plans and pricing.

Accessible Email Design Made Easy With AI: Your Key Takeaways

Creating accessible email designs is essential for reaching a diverse audience, including those with disabilities. 

Here's a quick recap of the key takeaways:

What is Email Accessibility? 

Ensuring emails are readable and understandable for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Why Email Accessibility Matters?

Over 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities. Accessible email design ensures your message reaches this vast audience and complies with potential legal requirements.

Email Accessibility Design Best Practices

• Use Real Text: Avoid all-image emails for better readability.
• Add Alt Text: Describe images for screen readers.
• Readable Fonts: Choose clear fonts and ensure good colour contrast.
• Whitespace and Simplicity: Enhance navigation with clean designs.
• Clear CTAs: Make call-to-action buttons easy to find and click.

Top AI Tools for Email Accessibility

• Ahrefs Alt Text Generator: Automatically creates image descriptions.
• Semrush AI Summary Generator: Summarises content for clarity.
• Venngage Color Palette Generator: Generates accessible colour schemes.
• Hemingway Editor: Simplifies language for better readability.
• accessiBe: Scans and suggests accessibility improvements.
• Email On Acid: Comprehensive email accessibility testing and optimisation.

By following these tips and utilising the recommended AI tools, you can design impactful email campaigns that are inclusive and reach a wider audience.

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