Prioritizing accessibility allows the organizers of eposter conferences to promote the equitable dissemination of the latest research. Thanks to technology, there are more ways than ever to do this. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five benefits of eposters that make scientific meetings more accessible to people with disabilities and learning differences.
RCOG 2017
ePosters are one key way that organizers can leverage technology to create a more inclusive and accommodating experience for all participants. Through the internet and other advancements in accessibility tech like screen readers, it’s possible to make a conference more accessible for both in-person and virtual attendees.
1. Zooming In for Enhanced Clarity
One of the primary advantages of ePosters is the ability to zoom in. Unlike paper posters, where text and images might be challenging to read from a distance, ePosters offer more dynamic viewing opportunities. Using a mouse or pinch-to-zoom, attendees can zoom in on specific sections, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments or those who struggle with small print can still access the information presented. Because our software is PDF-based, the image and text quality does not get compromised, no matter how much you zoom in.
2. Screen Readers for the Visually Impaired
For individuals with visual disabilities, accessing information from traditional paper posters can be a challenge. With the assistance of screen readers, poster content can be conveyed audibly to visually impaired attendees, enabling them to understand and engage with the research presented. This transformative feature marks a significant leap forward in making academic conferences and events more accommodating to everyone.
3. Audio/Video Supplements and Captioning
Incorporating multimedia elements into ePosters lets researchers augment their static content with audio narrations, video evidence, and moving graphics. This versatility ensures that the research message is conveyed effectively to a diverse audience of people with a variety of learning preferences. The captioning of these elements further contributes to their accessibility–so much so that some institutions require captions on any video or audio elements that supplement a poster.
4. Optimizing Space in Poster Halls
Traditional poster halls often become a labyrinth of crowded poster boards, making navigation cumbersome, especially for attendees with physical disabilities. Embracing ePosters liberates valuable space, as a few monitors can replace numerous poster boards. This spatial optimization enables better movement and accessibility for physically disabled attendees. It also allows for a more organized and visually appealing setup, enhancing the overall experience.
RCOG 2013
5. Extending Reach Beyond Physical Boundaries
ePostersLive's digital platform transcends geographical limitations by hosting all posters on a dedicated website that’s created for your event. Researchers and attendees who cannot attend in person are able to access the content online before, during, and after the conference. This virtual accessibility ensures that scientific knowledge reaches a wider audience, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange beyond the confines of physical attendance.
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The adoption of ePosters by academic conferences and research symposiums is an invaluable step towards creating a more accessible and inclusive platform for scholarly communications. The ability to zoom in, compatibility with screen readers, and integration of audio/video supplements with captions significantly broaden the reach of research findings to diverse audiences. Further, the reduced physical space required by ePosters ensures that conferences are more comfortable to navigate for people with physical disabilities.
By welcoming the positive changes of ePosters, we not only elevate the quality of academic conferences but reaffirm our commitment to making knowledge accessible to all. It’s high time we bid farewell to the constraints of paper posters and step into a future where research is presented with greater impact, inclusivity, and ease.
Want to share your thoughts on how conferences can be made more accessible? Reach out to us on social media @ePostersLive or via email at [email protected].