Overview of Options to Create Accessible Email Content in Marigold Engage

There are different ways in which content can be created in Marigold Engage. Some of the accessibility options will be available in only one or both.

Using the HTML Editor — Marigold Engage allows to import HTML content that is often prepared using other tools, or HTML can be coded by hand directly in Marigold Engage. If the HTML is already accessible when pasted or typed into the Advanced Editor, it will still be accessible when it is sent.

Using the Content Designer — Content Designer is Engage's drag and drop content creation tool. It includes many tools to quickly and easily create accessible email content.

 

Available tools in the Content Designer

Providing text alternatives

You may be required to provide text alternatives to any non-text content such as images. These often must have a text alternative that conveys the equivalent meaning or purpose.

Engage provides this for images added through the drag-and-drop interface as well as when added directly in the HTML. Content Blocks containing images also require an alt text to be provided in the code upon creation.

In addition, Liveclicker images have integrated alt text as well.

Options to avoid Image based emails

The Content Editor provides tools for responsive design, padding, and many layout options that make it possible to closely recreate image-based emails using accessible design.
In Content Blocks, it is possible to use web fonts to stay on brand, removing a recurring reason for using image-based emails.

Styling options for accessible buttons

There are multiple options in the Content Editor to style a button through the interface. You can set contrasting colors for the background and text of the button

In addition, custom styling can be applied as well:

 

Accessible content structure

Some rules may require that there be adequate content structure stating content must have properly nested headings (H1, H2, H3). You may be required to logically organize your content.

The Content Editor supports headings with the Text component. You can set titles as H1, H2, or H3. This is preferred for accessibility over solely relying on font size.

 

Providing clear, easy to understand language

Additionally, you may be required to state information on products or services using plain language without the use of technical jargon or complex terms.

In the Content Editor, AI is available to assist you with the creation of these texts for Text components as well as the subject and preheader of the message. If you do not currently have Marigold AI activated in your account, contact your Marigold representative to turn it on for you, it is included with your service.

Let’s ask Marigold AI to make this text compliant: “The aforementioned recalibration protocol necessitates a comprehensive, multifaceted, and holistic reassessment of the extant system architecture to ensure optimal operational efficacy”

Prompt:
Please rewrite this to use plain, simple language without the use of jargon or technical terms. Use 3rd grade language, with no big words, in an active voice. “The aforementioned recalibration protocol necessitates a comprehensive, multifaceted, and holistic reassessment of the extant system architecture to ensure optimal operational efficacy”

The result, using AI generated plain, simple language without the use of jargon or technical terms: We need to look closely at the whole system to make sure it works well.

Preview messages

Messages can be previewed in dark mode using the EmailOnAcid Analysis in the Content Editor.

Save and reuse, make accessibility the standard

After building your accessible elements, use them as templates. This saves time, and also sets your teammates up for success when they are creating a campaign.

  • Any message can be saved as a reusable quick start

  • Any component in the message can be saved in a Content Block and reused in unlimited number of messages

  • Any message can be saved as a template and be used over and over again to create new messages from

When you create a Quickstart, Content Block or Template, ensure you are using accessible color contrasts for text and background, and check the result in the preview or test emails to help you identify elements that lose text visibility.

 

Provide plain text version

If needed, provide a plain text version, using automatic conversion to plain text. This option is available from the Content Editor.

It is possible to edit the text version after generation: