One of the advantages of presentation software is the ease with which handouts can be produced for your audience. How often have you attended a presentation and been given sheets with typically six tiny slides printed alongside narrow lines for notes?
Presentation software allows you to control how handouts are printed, so what are the factors to bear in mind?
Know your audience
Try to find out beforehand if anyone in your audience requires an alternative format for handouts such as large print or braille. If so, be sure to check individual requirements particularly with regard to large print (e.g. what size print is required).
Even if it is not feasible to ascertain individual needs beforehand there is still much you can do to improve the accessibility of your handouts.
Clear Print
RNIB Clear Print recommendations are easy to follow for presentation handouts and help to ensure that your handouts are as accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
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Have print copies available in Clear Print (e.g. 14 point clear font like Arial) using black text on matt white paper. Some partially sighted users may have their own portable magnifiers to access print copies.
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Note that for the printed copies you may need to add slide numbers and correct the format to add or remove blank lines as necessary.
After the presentation
It is really good practice to offer to provide your handouts in alternative formats after the event if any members of your audience were unable to access the presentation for any reason.
You might also consider offering an email version to your audience at the start of your presentation.
Further information on accessibility for presentation software can be found on the Slide design and layout, Projected presentations, Multimedia in presentations, Transitions and effects, and Providing accessible formats pages.