Q. Do I have to produce my documents in alternative formats?
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 part III states that it is unlawful for service providers
to discriminate against a disabled person "in the standard of service which he provides to the
disabled person or the manner in which he provides it to him". Service providers are required to
make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people.
This means that, although you don't legally have to produce Braille and other alternative
formats, your information must be accessible to visually impaired customers in some way. For
example, a member of staff could read the information to the customer. However, alternative formats
such as Braille provide a positive, customer-focused method of meeting the legal requirements.
It is often difficult to know which alternative formats to produce. Remember that not all blind people read Braille. You may
also find that people require different audio formats (e.g. tape or CD) or different styles of Large Print. It is important to
realise that most people have a preferred format, and it is good policy to ask for preferences and to provide this wherever
possible.
In the case where you simply dont know your readers preferences, you could consider providing Audio CD as the most commonly
accessed format, and if possible provide a way for customers to get in touch to arrange an alternative.
Braille
Q. Will my Braille documents be used?
You will need to let visually impaired people know that your alternative format documents are available. Once a few people are aware, you will probably find the news spreads fast round the
visually impaired community.
Q. What is Grade 1 and Grade 2 Braille?
In the UK Braille is produced in either Grade 1 or Grade 2, also known as uncontracted or
contracted Braille.
Grade 1 Braille uses the standard Braille alphabet, with no contractions (or abbreviations).
Grade 1 Braille is typically read by those new to the Braille format.
Because Braille is much bulkier than standard text (it can take as much as three times as much
space), contracted Grade 2 Braille has evolved. This includes numerous contractions/abbreviations
such as the one-character symbol for ing or one-character symbol for common words such as and.
This takes up less space and is much faster to read. Contracted or Grade 2 Braille as it is known in
the UK, is by far the most commonly read.
Signage
Q. How do I position my Braille and Tactile Signage?
Height
It is essential that your signs are accessible to touch and that they are positioned at a consistent height around your
building. (The exception to this is for signs which include a control element e.g. lifts or door entry systems.)
Generally, signs should be positioned at a height of 1400mm from the floor to the bottom of the sign. Hanging signs,
however, should be placed at a height of 2300mm from the floor to the bottom of the sign.
Please note you may want to lower the height in certain circumstances such as if the signs are to be used in a young
childrens play area or school.
Position
Consistency of sign position is very important.
Door Signs should be fitted to the wall adjacent to the door latch. Signs fitted to doors are useless if the door is left open.
Toilet door signs can be fitted directly to the doors.
Directional signs should be fitted to the wall preferably in a position that is visible from connected corridors.
Colour
The signs need to stand out clearly in their environment, so contrasting colours to their surroundings are also very important.
Combinations such as black on white and yellow on Navy blue are perfect!
Dyslexia
Q. Can I also use my audio tapes and CDs for people with dyslexia or literacy problems?
Yes A2i have experience in transcribing for people with dyslexia. With about 10% of the UKs
population having some form of dyslexia, it is important to provide this section of society with
accessible options too. Please let us know when ordering who your document is for.
Large Print
Q. Can I produce my own Large Print?
Yes, of course, anyone can produce large print. However there are certain rules you will need to
know about such as: font styles, colours and weights; use of emphasis such as italic; paper weight,
colour and type of printing; and layout features such as use of columns. Here are a few tips to get
you started:
Use Left alignment only (1 column where possible)
Use a Sans serif font e.g. arial, tahoma
Minimum font size should be 16
Avoid using italics
Text should not be written over images
Colours: Dark text on light background, or light text on dark background black/dark blue with
yellow/cream is best.
Use non-glossy paper (this creates as little reflection as possible)
Graphs, tables and diagrams are a little more difficult than standard text, however A2i are able to assist you here!
Podcasts
Q. What is a Podcast?
A Podcast is an audio broadcast that is available on the Internet. A podcast can be played directly from a website, or easily downloaded to a computer or to a personal audio player such as an ipod or mp3 player.
Podcasts can be music, audio magazines, radio programmes, educational material and much more. Once they are downloaded they can be listened to at any time, and as often as you want.
5 Reasons for having podcasts:
Podcasts make your information accessible to blind and visually impaired people, and therefore help you meet the requirements of UK disability legislation, the Disability Discrimination Act.
They appeal to, and reach, young people so you could reach a larger audience.
Podcasts enable people who are too busy to read your documents to access them whilst travelling etc.
They save paper and therefore reduce your environmental impact.
There is a lower production cost, compared to other printing and audio options, as you do not need to produce and distribute multiple copies.
How do I create the Podcast?
Simply email or post a copy of your document to us, and our professional readers will produce an audio version suitable for a podcast. Your podcast will be sent to you on a CD.
How do I broadcast my Podcast?
You will either need some space on your own website, or you can publish your podcast on a number of other host sites.
Your customers can play your audio file directly from your website, or subscribe and listen to your podcast by typing the xml address directly into their audio software (e.g. itunes). They can also transfer your podcast to their own mp3 player.
How will my customers find my Podcast?
You can advertise your podcast on your own website, or through your usual marketing methods. To enable your customers to search for and find your podcast on programmes such as itunes, you can also submit your podcast to their directories.
A2i Transcription Services Ltd, Unit 4 Montpelier Central, Station Road, Bristol BS6 5EE.
Tel: 01179 44 00 44. Email: info@a2i.co.uk
