Today’s cultural institutions must strive to reach diverse audiences as widely as possible. To achieve this, it is necessary to adapt digital content to the specific needs of different social and demographic groups. With globalization and advances in technology, increasing linguistic and cultural diversity and the need to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities are becoming key challenges.
Adapting digital content to address language issues: techniques for adapting language content
- Translation and localization of content: Professional translations that not only translate words but also take into account the cultural context are important. Moreover, localization, i.e. adapting content to local customs, traditions and realities, is essential for content to be understandable and acceptable in a given region.
- Dual language versions: Many cultural institutions offer content in two or more languages to reach both domestic and international audiences.
- Simple and understandable vocabulary: It is worthwhile to use simple and understandable language, which makes the content more accessible not only to people with different levels of language proficiency, but also to the elderly or those with cognitive disabilities.
Adapting content to cultural diversity: techniques for adapting content to cultural aspects
- Selecting appropriate visual and audio content: Images, colours, sounds, gestures or symbols have different connotations in different cultures. Therefore, it is worthwhile to ensure that the visual and audio materials used in the content are culturally neutral or appropriately adapted to the specific audience (e.g., in Latin American countries, red can have religious connotations when combined with white. Red evokes danger and caution in the Middle East. In China, red symbolizes luck and good fortune).
- Multicultural narratives: It is worth adopting an approach that takes into account different cultural perspectives, introducing diversity in the narratives and creative works presented on digital platforms. It is important how events, historical objects, and figures are presented to avoid possible negative reactions or misunderstandings.
Adapting content for accessibility of people with disabilities: techniques for adapting content for people with disabilities
- Subtitles and transcriptions: For people who are visually or hearing impaired, subtitles are the primary source of access to video materials. In addition, text transcriptions of audio or video materials allow for better understanding of the content.
- Audiodescription: People who are visually impaired can benefit from audio description, which details visual elements in videos or interactive presentations.
- Interfaces accessible to people with limited mobility: Adapt the interface of a website or application to make it easy to use with a variety of assistive devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touch screens).
- Facilitating navigation and contrast: Ensuring adequate colour contrast, the ability to change font sizes, and easy-to-use navigation are essential elements that support people with visual or cognitive disabilities.