Inclusive interactions
GC Digital Competencies: Inclusive interactions
Ensure that documents, communications and interactions are accessible, inclusive, equitable and usable by all in any setting.
How you can demonstrate inclusive interactions
You can demonstrate inclusive interactions through specific actions that reflect awareness, empathy and intentional engagement. Examples include the following:
- bias recognition: challenge assumptions to promote fair communication
- empathy: recognize and respond to others’ emotions in digital environments
- adaptive communication: use plain language to meet diverse audience needs
- active listening: listen carefully to others to avoid assumptions
- diversity awareness: collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- equity: address barriers to ensure that digital tools are inclusive
- inclusion: create welcoming environments by reviewing work for biases
- accessibility: use tools such as accessibility checkers and include people with disabilities in user testing
- self-engagement: foster a collaborative environment and a sense of belonging
If you are a leader, you can:
- seek evidence that teams have identified barriers or exclusion in technology‑enabled services, and coordinate the shared work needed to resolve issues across programs or service lines
- set expectations that GC priorities for accessibility, usability and inclusive services are considered early in planning, and determine gaps for follow‑up with relevant partners before decisions move forward
- reinforce the consistent use of organization‑wide practices that support accessible, usable and inclusive service touchpoints, and plan to scale what works while improving what does not
- encourage teams to engage early with diverse users and bring forward lived‑experience insights to inform improvements
- convene cross-functional experts such as service design, accessibility and digital governance specialists to formalize shared approaches for accessible and user‑centred digital experiences
How you can help
This is a work in progress, and we will continue to improve it based on your feedback.
Share your thoughts and suggestions by email at icommunity-icollectivite@tbs-sct.gc.ca.