Making an Accessible Poster

# Making an Accessible Poster
Presenting your work Accessibly with Posters

cse482a: Fall 2026; Jennifer Mankoff (Last Edited: 2026-11-23). <a href="/courses/cse482a/26au/slides/poster.html">Live View: /slides/poster.html</a>

Important Reminder: check zoom & captioning

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                  <li><a href="#3">Making an Accessible Poster</a> (Slide 3)</li>
                
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
      
    
    
    
    
    
  
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class: center, middle, inverse
# Making an Accessible Poster

Due **the morning of Monday, Dec 7** (we print that day). Session: **Wed, Dec 9**.

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## What you already have

Most of your poster content exists from earlier milestones:

- **Users** and a quote: Milestone 1
- **Lofi prototype** and what you learned: Milestone 2
- **Study findings**: Milestone 3
- **Final application**: screenshots and technical details after Milestone 4 Demo Day (Dec 2)

Start now. Build the poster from these. Add the final app last.

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## What goes on the poster

1. Title, group members, mentor, class
2. Users: who, what you learned about their access needs, at least one quote
3. Lofi prototype: pictures, what you learned
4. Final application: screenshots, technical details
5. Justice-centered design: intersectionality, possible harms
6. What you learned, and "Ask me about..." prompts

Minimize text.

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## Size and format

- **32 x 40** inches. Start from a [CSE template](https://internal.cs.washington.edu/lab/printing/poster-printer/)
- Suggested text sizes: title 158 pt, section headings 56 pt, body 36 pt, captions and footnotes 24 pt
- Sans serif fonts, plain backgrounds, generous white space
- Check contrast for **printed** colors, not just on screen
- Use high-resolution images or vector graphics

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## Accessible poster checklist

- Follow [DO-IT's guide to accessible posters](https://doit.uw.edu/knowledge-base/how-can-i-create-a-conference-poster-that-is-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities)
- **A QR code next to each image** that links to its alt text
- Alt text on every image in the **source file**
- Real headings and lists in the source, not just big text
- Include a QR code or short URL for an accessible, downloadable version

You are graded on the Accessible Communication competency, using the same guidelines as your documents.

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## What we will look at

- The quality of your setup
- How you introduce your project
- How finished your prototype is, technically and as a design
- How finished your poster is, as a design

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## What to hand in (Mon morning, Dec 7)

- Poster **source file** (PowerPoint or Google Slides), for the accessibility check
- A **PDF** for printing
- Share it with your mentor

We print on Monday. We can't fix problems after it is printed, so check your poster *before* you hand it in: the final app is due Wed, Dec 2, so you have the weekend.

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## Presenting accessibly

- Describe the images you point to
- Keep a notepad to pass notes back and forth
- Be patient, and don't assume someone is uninterested
- Don't expect people to read while you are talking: *present* it
- Bring your demo on a laptop next to the poster
- More on presenting and visuals: [Accessible Presenting and Document Accessibility](presenting.html)

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class: center, middle, inverse
# Your pitch

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## Communication is telling a story

- A short prepared speech: the **why** and the **how**
- Maximum 30 seconds
- Before you say something, ask: *what is this adding to the story?*

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## Using your poster and prototype

- **Show**, don't just tell: anecdotes, examples, quotes
- Think about who you are presenting to, and what their purpose is
- Present accessibly

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## In your team (about 15 minutes)

1. Write down the main need or problem you found in your user research
2. In 1-2 sentences, how does your prototype address it? (If you pivoted, what need does it address now?)
3. Write a pitch: **30 seconds or less**. Start with the need (numbers help: "More than 80% of CS students feel...")
4. **Red pen it**: cut anything unnecessary, including jargon

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## Try it on another team

Show off your pitch and collect feedback. Add the notes and the pitch to your `LOG.md`.