Recommendations for Creating Inclusive Visual Communication During a Pandemic

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has fundamentally changed the way we live and communicate in 2020. In the United States, public health messaging, particularly infographics, continues to accompany now familiar phrases like “wash your hands,” “socially distance,” and “flatten the curve.” This messaging often falls short of inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity. In this article, we advocate for creating and sharing public health infographics that adhere to accessibility and metadata standards as well as inclusive design best practices. Libraries are uniquely positioned, along with other community centers, to create and disseminate public health information, especially in times of crisis. Whether designing their own visual communication or reusing messaging from elsewhere, librarians can incorporate social justice measures into their visual communication by incorporating best practices for intentional, strategic, and inclusive public health visual information.