Welcome to this week’s roundup of the latest news in the marketing world with a touch of inclusion and diversity! In this week’s inclusive marketing news round up, we tell you about tone tags and how useful they can be for online communications, Meta’s new AR glasses that are becoming the competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro, B&Q’s latest ‘You can do it’ campaign, and more updates and insightful data!
If you want to be like these brands, and be known for your amazing inclusive work, or you want to start your inclusion journey, contact us today.
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Firefighters Learn Life-Saving Sign Language
A group of deaf students, aged 4-12 from Newcastle, have created an interactive video and fact sheet featuring essential sign language phrases. These have been designed specifically for firefighters from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station, to assist in situations involving deaf residents.
The students were inspired by their classroom studies on “People who help us.” Firefighters from the station participated in a video recording workshop to learn these phrases. Such an amazing initiative!
Source: twfire.gov.uk
Paige Layle Teams Up With @tiktokforgood to Talk About Tone Tags
Paige Layle, an influential advocate for autism, has partnered with @tiktokforgood to delve into the significance of tone tags and their effective utilisation during online communications. In her video, she not only introduces various popular tone tags, but also provides insights into the appropriate application.
Paige emphasises the importance of employing these tags to prevent misunderstandings, shedding light on their utility in clarifying messages and avoiding misinterpretations.
@tiktokforgood Ever sent a text message that was taken WAY out of context by accident? Yeah….we all have. Let’s just avoid that whole situation by using Tone Tags. #ToneTags #AutismAwareness #BetterCommunication #TikTokForGood ♬ original sound – TikTok for Good
Meta Plans to Showcase Its Next-Gen AR Glasses Later This Year
Meta plans to unveil its next-gen AR glasses prototype, codenamed Orion, at its conference this year. The glasses, not yet available for purchase, aim to showcase advancements in AR technology. Mark Zuckerberg compared Meta’s Quest Pro to Apple’s Vision Pro, highlighting Quest’s superior performance and lower price.
We’re excited to try these out once they launch, and it will especially exciting to see its accessibility features and how useful they can be to the disabled community. What do you think? And have you tried its competitor, latest Apple’s product?
Meet Robbie, The Walking Talking Robot Guide Dog
Robbie has been developed by the University of Glasgow, and it’s a walking robot equipped with sensor and AI technologies. This innovation aims to potentially replace traditional guide dogs by offering navigation, communication, and environment description capabilities.
The motivation behind the project includes providing a cheaper alternative to guide dogs and addressing shortages in training and placement of new dogs. What do you think about it?
Source: bbc.co.uk
‘How Not To Fit: An Unapologetic Guide To Navigating Autism and ADHD’ Is Released
Jess Joy and Charlotte Mia founded @IAmPayingAttention in October 2020, and in three years, they have fostered a community of nearly 100k people. They both identify as late-diagnosed Neurodivergent women, and their new book is finally out!
The book explores real experiences with autism and ADHD. It looks at the journey of discovering, accepting and flourishing with your Neurodivergent brain. It explores why getting diagnosis can be so fraught and gendered, and how to navigate a world which centres Neurotypical brains in the realms of relationships, careers, friendships and finances.
Source: instagram.com
One Quarter of Disabled People Avoid Public Transport Due To Accessibility Issues
A survey by Oak Tree Mobility shows that 25% of disabled and elderly people avoid using UK public transport due to accessibility issues. And 93% of train travelers face challenges such as boarding, accessing stations, and lack of clear information. This leads to social isolation and financial strain, as many resort to expensive taxis.
Oak Tree Mobility calls for prioritising accessibility in public transport, which is essential for greater social inclusion and equality.
Source: learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk
Instagram Launches New DM Updates
Instagram has rolled out new DM features, including message editing, pinned chats, read receipts, chat themes, and sticker saving. This reflects a shift towards private interactions over public posting.
There has been an increase in content sharing in DMs and stories, rather than the main feed. Meta reports a rise in AI-recommended content, altering app usage dynamics. Because of this, Instagram is now prioritising algorithm-driven engagement. Messages now serve as the primary social element, while the main feed becomes an entertainment stream.
Source: socialmediatoday.com
Campaign Spotlight: B&Q
B&Q has launched a new ‘You Can Do It’ ad campaign in collaboration with Uncommon. It aims to inspire and empower customers to tackle DIY projects. The campaign will air on ITV and across various channels and online platforms.
Apart from the amazing empowering message, the ad also showcases a diverse cast. Definitely give it a watch!
Conclusion
Make sure to come back to check our bi-weekly news recap with the latest inclusive updates in the marketing and social media worlds. And follow us on social media for more inclusive content!
That’s all for this week, but don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok for more news and exciting content.
