Publications

Making E-communication Accessible

Best practice for websites, email and electronic documents

A supplement to the SAIF Standards for Disability Information and Advice Provision in Scotland

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Contents

| 1 Foreword |

| 2 Acknowledgements |

| 3 Introduction |

• World Wide Web Consortium
• PAS-78

| 4 What is e-communication? |

• Websites
• Documents and forms
• Email
• Accessibility

| 5 How to get online |

• Computer
• Modem
• Internet service providers
• Broadband
• Wireless network

| 6 How to plan your website |

• Put someone in charge
• What should the website do?
• Clarify your aims and objectives
• Identify your target audience and their needs
• Identify required features
• Gather the content together
• Organise your content
• Promote ownership of the website within your organisation
• Adopt the right attitude

| 7 How to produce your website |

• Choose a web designer
• Website tender documents
• What is meant by accessible web design?
• Web accessibility issues for particular groups

| 8 How to maintain your accessible website |

• Keeping your website up-to-date
• Allowing staff to publish and edit their information
• Determining staff support needs
• Content management systems

| 9 More features for websites |

• Discussion forums
• Polls and voting
• Weblogs and news feeds
• Payment functions
• Feedback and subscription forms
• Password protected areas

| 10 How to create accessible email |

• Formatting email
• Accessibility issues
• Newsletters and standards

| 11 How to create accessible electronic documents |

• Making Word documents accessible
• Making PDF documents accessible
• Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations

| 12 Where to get more help |

• Websites
• Books
• Online reports
• Feedback

| Appendices |

• Making Websites Accessible, poster, online version
• Making Word Documents Accessible, poster, online version

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This document is available on request:

• in braille
• in large print, 18 point - word (441kb)
• in large print, 18 point - pdf (441kb)
• on audio tape/CD
• PDF

Making E-communication Accessible

A supplement to the SAIF Standards for Disability Information and Advice Provision in Scotland

Written by Jim Byrne and Eva Bolander

Published by the Scottish Consumer Council
Royal Exchange House
100 Queen Street
Glasgow G1 3DN

ISBN 0-9551942-5-3 / 978-0-9551942-5-2

© Scottish Accessible Information Forum

First revised edition. You may photocopy all or part of this publication, but please acknowledge the source. First published 2002.

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