Accessible Solutions - Making print information accessible
Who Benefits?
Print is a great medium for disseminating and receiving information, but many people cannot access print in its standard format. The team at Accessible Information Solutions helps business, government, education and community groups ensure that their message reaches the whole community.
In Australia, it is estimated that approximately two million people cannot read standard print easily because of:
- Physical dexterity problems such as MS, Parkinson's, arthritis, paralysis
- Vision impairment or blindness
- Learning disability (such as dyslexia)
- Brain injury or cognitive impairment
- English as a second language
- Literacy difficulties
- Early dementia
The print accessibility team at Accessible Information Solutions has developed a broad range of strategies that are integrated into standard business practice and which significantly improve communication outcomes.
For further information on our services, a staff presentation, or to discuss a specific project, please telephone:
- Tony Clark (03) 9864 9702 (email: [email protected])
What alternative formats are available?
Accessible Information Solutions can professionally convert standard print into a wide range of more inclusive information formats which include :
- Audio cassette, CD and audio file on website
- Large print
- Braille
- Plain English
- Tactual and Bold-print Graphics
- E-text
Alternative formats, as the name suggests, provides an alternative to standard print. Alternative formats can be utilised by a wide range of individuals and can provide greater communication outcomes when integrated into mainstream communication strategies.
All formats are produced according to the Australian standards set by the Print Disability Roundtable.
Audio Cassette, CD or Audio File
Accessible Information Solutions provides studio services with modern digital recording equipment, qualified audio technicians and professional narrators. We can record, duplicate, pack and distribute audio material at highly competitive rates. Cassette or CD sleeves can be designed to match the corporate colours, logos and designs of printed originals. This format is ideal for community information, corporate brochures, newsletters, leaflets, reports, tourism, training materials etc. All we need is the text.
Once digitally recorded, material can be converted to an audio file, which can then be incorporated into a website, allowing customers with sound on their PCs to hear the material read out. This is ideal for information containing unfamiliar technical words, such as health information.
Large Print
Many people who have difficulty with standard print can handle large print much more easily. Having a document converted to a large print format makes it more accessible to many vision impaired and/or older customers. There are established Large Print Guidelines for effective large print documents. This file can also be incorporated into a website for printing on demand. We work closely with printers and designers to produce professional large print versions in long runs. To meet specific needs, we can do short runs of large print format documents in-house.
Braille
For many people who are blind Braille is their preferred information format. Braille documents can be produced as needed by our experienced Braille department. We also provide Braille embossing for business cards and promotional material
Plain English
Plain or Easy English versions of documents simplify text to make it clearer and easier for readers with a learning or literacy difficulty and people with a mild intellectual disability. Vocabulary is simplified, sentences shortened, jargon removed and key thoughts stated in point form where possible for 'user friendliness'.
For additional information, please click on this link for A Guide to Plain English Documents.
Tactual and Bold-print Graphics
Tactual graphics are raised line diagrams used for the production of maps etc. They include Braille legends and captions. Bold print graphics render diagrams into a format more easily used by people with low vision. Tactual graphics often accompany Braille versions of information while bold print graphics most often accompany large print versions.
E-text
There is a range of strategies that can applied to ensure that electronic information is as accessible as possible. Strategies and approaches can be applied to the construction of documents on both web sites and other documents such as Word, Rich Text, ASCII and more.
For additional information on making your electronic information more accessible, please read Electronic Document Accessibility.
Contact Us
For further information on our services, a staff presentation, or to discuss a specific project, please telephone:
- Tony Clark (03) 9864 9702 (email: [email protected])
- Jay Richards (02) 9334 3556 (email: [email protected]).