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4.2 Accessible information

Contents

• Braille
• Large print
• Audio tape
• Computer Disks/ CD-ROMs and the Internet
• Publicity of the availability of other formats

The need for information to be accessible to all people is as great as the need for all buildings to be accessible. The use of standard print only, between 8 point and 12 point, will restrict the number of people who have access to the information.

To open information to all, any printed media should also be produced in:

• Braille
  
• Large print (14 point - 16 point)
  
• Audio Tape
  
• Computer Disk
  

Braille

Braille is a system of reading by touch using patterns of raised dots to represent characters.

Only 2% of visually impaired people are able to read Braille. However, 22% of the blind population between the ages of 16 and 59 use Braille. Many blind people who occupy influential positions also use Braille, making it an important format in which to provide information.

There are two types of English Braille - Grade I, which is a letter by letter translation, and Grade II, where common words and letter sequences are abbreviated.

It is generally best to produce large amounts of information in Grade II Braille as this is the format read by most Braille readers. Grade I should be used for simple, short pieces of information, for example, a sign (see 4.3 Signs and Notices).

If your organisation does not possess its own Braille translator then the service is provided by a number of organisations.

Large print

Large print is accessible to many visually impaired people who retain a small degree of vision. The format is also beneficial for a large number of older people with a visual impairment.

The font size used for large print must be a minimum of 14 point. However, font sizes above 20 point do not have any advantages over smaller fonts between 14 point and 20 point.

To maximise the advantage of large print documents follow these guidelines:

• Use a simple sans serif typeface such as Arial or Helvetica.
  
• Minimum of 14 point.
  
• Use a medium or bold weight.
  
• Avoid italics and excessive use of capital letters.
  
• Line spacing should be a minimum of 2 point for 12 point but will increase for larger fonts.
  
• Letters should be adequately spaced and should never touch each other.
  
• Word spacing should be kept even.
  
• All type should be ranged to the left.
  
• Layout should be clear and logical with plenty of clear headings.
  
• Always use a matt finish as glossy surfaces can create glare.
  

Audio tape

Audio tapes can provide an effective means of getting your message across. They can be produced individually or as professionally mass produced products.

People who find tapes useful include:

• Blind people (who may prefer tapes to Braille because they are less bulky, quicker to use, and it is possible to do other things while listening to tapes).
  
• People who find written language difficult, e.g. people who speak a particular language but do not use its written form; people with learning difficulties or dyslexia.

Tapes can be played again and again and the information can be shared with other people. The tapes can also be reused or returned to the service provider for rerecording and redistributing. This is the way Talking Newspapers distribute information from the local media to blind people.

Computer Disks/ CD-ROMs and the Internet

The increasing ownership of personal computers means that information can be provided on disks which then allows the information to be altered by readers to their preferred format rather than the ones provided.

Use of CD-ROM and the Internet will also play an important role as such systems become more available and cheaper to buy. However, it must be
realised that few disabled people are in higher income brackets and, therefore, have limited access to computers.

Publicity of the availability of other formats

If your organisation produces information in these formats then publicity of their availability and how to obtain copies of the information in these formats is necessary. To achieve this:

• Mention the other formats available in the standard print format of the document.
  
• Mention all formats in each of the different formats.
  
• Publicise in other non-print formats, such as radio, television, talking newspapers and British Sign Language and sub-titled videos.
  
• Leaflets in public places - libraries, doctors surgeries etc.
  

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