Accessible Information

Formats and ways of communicating

Summary: Introduction to formats such as print, braille, audio and technology used by blind people to read, write and communicate.

Print
Braille
Moon
Access technology
Internet
Audio
Reading support
Telephone
Personal contact
Deafblind people
People with additional disabilities
Ethnic minorities
Further information

People with sight problems use a variety of methods for accessing information and communicating. Because people lose their sight at different times of their lives and because eye conditions result in a different levels and types of damage to vision, there is no one solution that everyone uses. Even the same person will use a variety of reading and writing formats.

This page is an introduction to the formats that people use for reading and writing and communicating. How these formats are produced makes a difference to their readability.

Print

Many people with low vision can read standard print if it is well designed. They may also use magnification or certain lighting to improve readability. However reading a long document can be slow and exhausting and reading small print can be impossible. People with little or no vision will not be able to read print.

Clear print

Clear print brings together basic design elements such as font, type size, contrast and page navigation. By following guidelines, cutting edge design can also be inclusive design. Documents that use clear print will find a wider audience because they are easier to read.

Clear print differs from large print in the size of the type used (point size). Clear print documents use a minimum type size of 12 point (although we recommend 14 point to reach more customers with sight problems).

Large and giant print

Larger print is essential for many blind and partially sighted people. No single size is suitable for everyone. Large print is usually in the range of 16 to 22 point. Giant print uses fonts that are 24 point plus.

Again the font type and design of a document will make a big difference to the readability of the information. Publications using large text but with poor colour contrast, italic fonts or text placed on top of an image will still be difficult to read.

Organisations producing information in large print will often ask a customer for their font size preference to ensure they are meeting their needs.

Handwriting

People who have some vision or have lost their sight in later life will still write by hand. Signing documents and filling in forms can be very difficult for some people. Small print size and light coloured boxes make it hard to identify which sections must be completed. Writing aids such as signature guides, writing frames and thick pens can help.

Braille

Braille is a system of raised dots which people read with their fingers. There are around 20,000 people in the UK who state that braille is their preferred reading medium, but many more use braille for labelling or read braille signs. Braille homepage

Moon

Moon is a system of reading and writing in which tactile symbols based on lines and curves are used to represent letters, numbers and punctuation marks. Moon is used by a very small number of people, most of whom are elderly.

Moon is easier to learn than braille as the letters are easier to distinguish by touch. However Moon cannot be written by hand, is even bulkier than braille and there is very little literature available. Moon - further information.

Access technology

Blind and partially sighted people use a wide range of equipment to help them access print and electronic information. This includes:

hand-held magnifiers
Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) which magnify print up to 48 times the original size
speech software which converts text on a computer screen to speech
braille translation software which translates information on a computer screen into braille which is read on a keyboard
screen enlargement software that enables the user to magnify the text on their screen to a suitable size

Some types of equipment are simple to use, others require some training. New technology is constantly changing and improving the independence of blind and partially sighted people. For example people can use speech software to read text messages on their mobile phone and use accessible GPS devices to navigate their environments. Access technology - further information

Internet

The internet is one of the most significant communication developments since the invention of braille. For the first time ever, many blind and partially sighted people have access to the same information as sighted people and on the same terms. A blind people can now shop, bank or read the news from their computer using access technology.

However, barriers still exist. Websites must be correctly designed and built so that people with disabilities can use them. Websites are covered by the DDA yet still a significant number of sites do not work for blind people. Web Access Centre - further information.

Audio

Audio is widely used for reading as well as personal notetaking and labelling. Letters, bills, marketing information, magazines and newspapers can be quickly converted into audio but this can have an impact on quality. A clear, well structured recording with good navigation is much easier to use than one where no thought has been given to how the information will be used and digested.

Audio files are generally available on CD or as Daisy or MP3 files. As tape technology is now becoming obsolete, many tape audio libraries are converting to digital format. Talking Books are a lifeline for many people.

For blind and partially sighted people with additional hearing difficulties, headphones can improve the quality of sound, or changing the tone and speed of speech in the recording. These features are available on many Daisy players.

Reading support

Many people with sight problems have information read to them by other people. This is either from personal preference or because the information has not been given to them in a format they can read themselves. Having personal information read such as bank statements or medical documents may not be ideal. Access to information campaign - further information.

Telephone

The telephone is a lifeline for many people with sight problems. Large button phones are often easier to see. RNIB's Talk and Support groups bring people together over the phone to talk about subjects that matter to them.

Personal contact

Some blind people find conversation difficult. Without eye contact and awareness of body language it can be hard to connect with other people. In large groups or at busy events it can be hard to know who is talking and what is happening.

Small things make a big difference - say hello and who you are in case he / she doesn't recognise you or your voice. Use his / her name, if you know it, if not, a light touch on the arm will indicate who you are speaking to. Before you move away, say that you are about to leave. Everyone feels foolish talking to an empty space.

How to guide people with sight problems - further information

Deafblind people

Most deafblind people develop their combined sight and hearing loss as they get older (acquired deafblindness), some are born deafblind (congenital deafblindness). As with sight loss, being deafblind does not always mean total loss of senses. A person will often have some useful vision or hearing. People with useful hearing may be able to understand clear speech, in person or over the telephone, if background noise is kept to a minimum and the person speaks clearly. Others will have enough sight to use textphones or Typetalk, be able to lip read or use British Sign Language. Good lighting can help a deafblind person see the other person's face and hands more clearly.

Deafblind people with more significant hearing and sight loss will use alternative methods. Some people use the Block Alphabet where words are spelt out by tracing capital letters on the palm of the deafblind person's hand. Others use the Deafblind Manual Alphabet where the British Sign Language Alphabet is traced onto the palm of the deafblind person's hand. Deafblind people may also use braille to read, write or use computers.

Deafblind people often have difficulties with communication, mobility and access to information.

Further information

People with additional disabilities

Many blind and partially sighted people have additional disabilities which may affect the way that they communicate. People with diabetes for example are less likely to be braille users if they have lost the tactile sensitivity in their fingertips. People with arthritis may find some technology too difficult to operate.

Ethnic minorities

People with sight problems from ethnic minorities may face additional communication difficulties. There is very little material available in large print or braille in different languages.

Further information

See it Right

RNIB's See it Right initiative aims to encourage information providers at all levels to produce materials in a format which blind and partially sighted people can read. The See it Right book gives practical advice on designing and producing accessible information as well as advice about developing an accessible information strategy.

RNIB See it Right
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Telephone: 020 7391 2397
Email: seeitright@rnib.org.uk

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13

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