The Inclusive Designer's Library: Hearing accessibility resources every designer should bookmark

Designing for accessibility means considering people with a wide range of communication preferences and lived experiences, including Deaf, deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

This shortlist from the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee highlights resources that can help designers create more accessible digital experiences, communications and learning materials. Each resource was suggested by Members of the Committee based on their own work, learning or professional experience. While this isn't an exhaustive list, every recommendation has been reviewed by the Committee because we believe it offers practical value to designers.

Deaf Power

Resource Type: Community Resource

Explores Deaf culture, history and language through educational resources, initiatives and visual tools. The site also offers a free starter kit featuring Deaf Power's graphic identity and symbol for designers and educators.

DigitalA11Y

Resource Type: Technical Guide

A practical collection of accessibility resources covering audio and video players, captioning tools, audio descriptions and WordPress plugins. It's a useful reference when building or evaluating accessible multimedia experiences.

Bonus: W3C's Accessible Media Player guidance

Gallaudet University

Resource Type: Reading List

Curated by the world's leading university for Deaf and hard of hearing education, this evolving bibliography introduces books and publications on Deaf history, culture and lived experience.

Government of Canada

Resource Type: Official Guidelines

An introduction to accessible audio and video requirements, covering captions, transcripts, audio descriptions and keyboard accessibility. Particularly useful for designers creating educational or digital learning content.

Hearing Happiness

Resource Type: Book (available for purchase)

Author Jaipreet Virdi combines memoir and historical research to explore deafness, hearing technology and society's evolving perceptions of disability in America. A thoughtful read for anyone interested in disability history and inclusion.

Pivotal Accessibility

Resource Type: Article

An approachable overview of auditory accessibility, explaining common barriers and offering practical recommendations for creating more inclusive digital experiences.

Rikki Poynter

Resource Type: YouTube Channel

A Deaf and disabled content creator who shares videos on accessibility, captioning, disability advocacy and inclusive media practices through lived experience and commentary.

Smashing Magazine

Resource Type: UX Article

A practical guide to designing better captions, subtitles, transcripts, video experiences and on-screen text. Includes recommendations that improve usability for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users as well as broader audiences.

Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

Resource Type: Best Practices

Offers guidance for creating more inclusive workplaces for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard-of-hearing employees, including practical communication tips and workplace considerations.

This curated list reflects the perspective of the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. We hope these resources inspire you to explore new ideas, strengthen your practice and design with greater inclusion in mind. If you have resources that should be included in future editions, we'd love to hear from you. Contributions can be as simple as sharing a link and a short note explaining why it's valuable. If you're interested in helping shape future resource lists, articles and initiatives, consider joining the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee and contributing to a more inclusive design profession.

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AI transparency note: The resources featured in this article were researched and curated by members of the RGD's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. AI tools, including ChatGPT and Grammarly, were used to assist with copy editing, proofreading and refining the written content.