SAIF: Making Information Accessible
Guidelines for producing accessible printed and electronic information
Making Information Accessible
The requirement for information to be accessible to disabled people is included in anti-discrimination legislation. To some people this will mean making information available in alternative formats such as braille, large print, audio or British Sign Language (BSL). Other people may also think of the accessibility of information services, for example, access into and within buildings and staff receiving disability awareness training.
These things are important. They are particularly effective if they are part of a wider strategy that includes the message:
all written information should be as accessible as possible.
The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) has produced Standards advising organisations about all aspects of improving the accessibility of information. The Standards are based on a belief that everyone, not just disabled people, will benefit from making information more accessible. A copy of the Standards can be obtained from SAIF in a range of formats or downloaded from this website.
These guidelines, based on the SAIF Standards, provide practical guidance on making printed and electronic information more accessible. Following them will benefit most people. They will be of particular benefit to disabled people who rely on assistive technology (hardware or software that helps a disabled person access information using a computer). They will reduce the demand for information in other formats.
They include general principles for all written information and specific guidance on writing and producing:
- Word documents
- PDF (Portable Document Format) documents
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Emails
- Websites