Saturday, 27 June 2015

Accessible Information Guidelines.


        People with disabilities understand it’s not always easy for people to make information accessible for us due to cuts in funding and materials different places have got.
        If it is impossible for you to make the information easy for the person read and understand, ask the person if they understand the information, if you don’t have time to go through the information, ask them if there’s anyone who could go through it with them.
        If the information is very private just go through it with them the best you can.  
         Easy read is seen different to different people even people with disabilities and health problems so ask people first, don’t just guess.
         Does the person need larger print?
        Do some people like most their information in bold?
        Would some people like their information in a different way?





        Some may want you to use words that we use all the time.
         Some people may want short words and clear short sentences.
         Just have one idea in each sentence.
        This means shorting words or a few letters.
        Using fewer words.
         You may need to find short words for long words in a thesaurus.
        People with disabilities understand there are some short words can't always be found for longs words.
        Some short words can’t be found for long words so some people may be able read them.
        Use one active verb for eg; John loves Mary not Mary is loved by John.
        Think about key points that can be made easier for the person.
        Don't use words that only specialist would understand or acronyms.



Font.
         Would the person like information written in colour? For example most people with Dyslexia are likely to like different coloured writing on different coloured paper.
        What kind of font does the person like?
        What size fond does the person like?
        Bold, underline, italics and or etc.
        Some may want their information written in Comic San, Ariel, Black Ariel or by FS Mencap.
        Use bold for highlighting words.
        Use size 14 text.
        Titles and headings size 16.
        Italics and block capitals change the shape of words and make them hard to read.
        Instructions and directions in bullet points or for eg; ABC 123.
        No jargon and no words jumping off the page, which means large print for it to be clear enough for people to read and understand.
        Jumping from one topic to the other makes it harder for you to write and us to read.
        If you have to write about a lot of topics, sub head each paragraph, which could make it easier for some people that you are writing about something different each time.
        Something clear and well planned with all key point information.
        What colours would the person like?
        Some people may what different writing on different colour paper.

Codes and colours.
        If you are writing a lot of pages use colour codes.
         Use clear coloured paper.
        Green is not a good colour to use.
        Words in white (reversed out text) on coloured back ground can be harder to reader.
        Some people might need things to be printed onto coloured paper.
        Remember not everyone manages with colour so ask them first.
        Use full stops.
         Try not to use other punctuation.
         Use bullet points.
          Do not use abbreviations for eg; do not don't.
        One subject on page.
         If you have to use more than each page with more about then whenever the subject is.
         Use page numbers.
          Avoid columns.
         It's easier to read across the page.
        Make sure there are plenty of space forms for people to fill in.

One subject on page.
        If you have to use more than each page with more whenever the subject is.
        Use page numbers.
        Avoid columns.
        Using photographs by asking permission off different places first if you need to.
        Photographs should be of people, places or and other objects meaning nouns.
        Find out if the person wants the pictures on the right and writing on the left or the other way round!
        It could be different if you are writing in another language.
        Do not float text on top or across the page.
Useful tips.

Some people may want the time written as 12.00pm others may want a picture of a clock with fingers on.

           Some people find cartoon pictures childish.
          Explain how to find a place in words as well as pictures.
        Some people find a pretty poster on a leaf it easy to understand.
        Some don’t like shiny paper others do.
          Some people find an A5 notepad or book easier to hold rather than following lots of sheets.

Information on CD and DVD.
        Ask people if they would prefer to watch a DVD or CD if necessary.
        Make information available on DVD or CD
        Make information easier for people to find.
        Use a buddy system where people have somewhere to go through information with them or ask questions.
        Sent information at least 4 weeks before appointment or meeting people may need or and want to go to.
        This will give people time to get help if they want or and need it.
        This also may help most people understand the information.
  Contact WWW.officefordisability.gov.uk accessibity@mencap.org.uk 0209 696 5551
        If you want to produce all or part of this guide please talk to us.
 http://www.pddnet.com/news/2015/07/making-maker-movement-accessible

















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