Making Documents Accessible

Making-documents-accessible-pg1.jpg Alt text: 1. Use styles to identify headings

Using heading and styles throughout a document automatically creates a searchable document with easy navigation. Screen readers used by the Blind and partially-sighted use these headings to create chaptered sound files, which are much easier to search and edit. Making-documents-accessible-pg2.jpg[

Alt text: 2. Choose an accessible font.

Text clarity is important for all users. However, if you have a learning difficulty or disability it is vital to accessing the resource. When deciding on a fint style, choose a clear font with space around each character letter with no flicks or tails on the letters. These are much easier to read for many people, but particularly those with sight problems.

There are mant accessible sans serif fonts that can be used. Below are a few examples: Calibri, Arial, Verdana.

Below are a few examples of inaccessible serif fonts which should be avoided: Bradlet Hand ITC, Algerian, Times New Roman. Making-documents-accessible-pg3.jpg](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/uploads/images/gallery/2022-08/Making-documents-accessible-pg3.jpg) [Making-documents-accessible-pg4.jpg (https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/uploads/images/gallery/2022-08/scaled-1680-/Making-documents-accessible-pg4.jpg) Alt text: 3. Use left alignment and bigger spaces between lines of text.

Left aligning text reduces eye movements and enables you to read the text easily. It is particularly helpful for those with partial sight or those who use a keyboard (rather than a keyboard and mouse) to navigate the text.

1.5 spacing or higher increases the space around text, making it much easier for those with sight problems to view. Breaking up dense blocks of text in this way can also make information less overwhelming and easier to read for those with learning differences affecting reading and writing, such as dyslexia.

Making-documents-accessible-pg5.jpg

Alt text: 4. Use accessible ways of highlighting text.

Embolden text: Yes, this is the best way to empathize text. The text remains clear but still stands out to the user.

Underline text: Underlined text can interfere with the clarity of the text, particularly if there is a movement of the text due to dyslexia or scotopic sight conditions.

Italicise text: Italicised text reduces the space between words, affects the clarity of each character, and changes the shape of the words.

Use of colours: Colours can be use but be careful with your choices. Avoid using red and green together.

Use of all of the above: This would be difficult for most users to read with comfort and is inaccessible for many users with a specific learning difficulty or disability.

Dyslexia Friendly Style Guide

Written and compiled by Nicki - External Coordinator Disabled Rebels Network

If you're producing a written document with fancy backgrounds and tonnes of images, it's good practise to link a plain text version near the beginning of the document for visually impaired and dyslexic rebels.

Readable fonts

Headings and structure

Use headings and styles to create consistent structure to help people navigate through your content. In Word, you’ll find these tools in the ‘Home’ tab:

Headings

Colour

Layout

Writing Style


Revision #4
Created 15 August 2022 20:58:20 by Ned Evans
Updated 12 January 2023 12:45:33 by Jess Burrows