Miro Accessibility team is collecting tips for designing and running inclusive collaborative sessions in Miro in this article. We will be regularly updating it as we learn more about best practices that work for our customers.
Our general recommendation is to check if someone who is participating in asynchronous or real-time collaboration has access needs when preparing your Miro board.
If this is the case, we recommend working out clear instructions for all meeting or collaboration participants to make the experience inclusive for everyone, and ensure everyone is familiar with them before they start working in Miro.
Making Miro more accessible for screen reader users
If you are collaborating with screen reader users, it’s important to remember that they currently can access the main types of content from desktop in Miro, but cannot edit or create objects on boards, and facilitators need to help them collaborate on boards.
Generally, the more structured the boards are, the easier it is for screen reader users to access content. Also, don’t forget that all of the visual content always needs to be accompanied by detailed text annotations.
If you want to make sure screen reader users can easily navigate the board and access board content, follow these recommendations:
- Use frames to structure board content and make sure no board objects are placed outside frames
- The list of frames on the left side of the board is screen reader-friendly and is designed to be used as the primary way for screen reader users to navigate through the board on their own. Please, note: frames are added in chronological order as they are created on the board. If you rearrange the order of frames on the board, make sure to reflect it in the frames list.
- Create frames in a sequence from left to right – this way users will be able to easily follow the flow of the collaborative session
- Ideally, each frame should fit into the viewport at 100% browser and Miro canvas Zoom – this will guarantee the smoothest user experience possible. Frames also shouldn’t overlap each other
- Provide text alternatives/descriptions to any image you're adding - use text or shape to insert the annotation
- Use sticky notes, emojis, text, shapes, and frames at all times, if possible – only these board objects are picked up by screen readers
Enabling visitors for easier access to boards
For easier access to the board, a facilitator can make the board available for visitors. This will mean that whoever receives the link to the board will be able to open it without having to sign in or sign up to Miro. To enable this, please go to Share and choose Anyone with the link can edit (available on Starter, Business, Consultant, Education, and Enterprise plans). Learn more.
Sharing a board with visitors who can edit
Using sticky note colors and tags consciously
Using various sticky note colors is a great way to cluster ideas or differentiate between contributors. If you are looking to make your workshop more inclusive, there is an alternative to sticky note colors – using tags for identifying sticky note authors or categorizing sticky notes on the board.
Using tags
Using attention management features and links for better board navigation
For smoother navigation on the board, a facilitator may use bring everyone to me functionality. This will mean that everyone who has the board open is able to follow the facilitator on the board wherever on the board they are. Learn more.
Bringing all collaborators to your view
Alternatively, a facilitator may also Copy link to any object on the board and share it with collaborators. To do that, click on any object, choose three dots, and then Copy link.
The option to copy link to an object
Making Miro more accessible for people with visual impairments
Increasing the browser zoom level
Go to the browser menu, open zoom settings, and increase UI size up to 200%. It will increase the size of Miro toolbars and controls.
Changing browser zoom level in Chrome
Making Miro more accessible for people with motion sensitivities
Turning cursors off to reduce distractions on the board
Miro is all about collaboration, and seeing the cursors of everyone who is present on the board is crucial for emulating the engaging in-person experience.
However, you have the option to turn cursors off when needed to reduce distractions on the board if this is the preference of the group you are collaborating with. It will also improve overall board performance if you are collaborating with dozens or hundreds of people.
Hiding collaborators' cursors on the board
Making Miro more accessible for people with light sensitivities
Using the dark background
A big dark frame can be used as a background for a board to reduce eye strain for people with light sensitivities.
Creating the dark background in Miro with a frame
Choosing dark colors for objects on the board
You can create sticky notes and shapes with the darkest colors as well as white/light grey text colors where appropriate.
The color of the background and text of a shape