A guide to providing accessible information
Press Release
Making information available for all should no longer be the province of the expert following the release of a new guide to providing accessible information
EDINBURGH, DECEMBER 1st 2006
Edinburgh based information specialists, With People; today announced an innovative new guide. It aims to help organisations planning to provide their information and services in ways accessible for disabled people. “Information Alternatives: A guide to providing accessible information” was designed with local authorities, health boards, public bodies, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in mind.
The guide’s publication comes when public bodies are busy looking at how disabled people access their services. From the 4th December public bodies will have to publish information showing how they propose to ensure that their services are accessible for disabled people.
Written by Paul Ralph, one of Scotland’s leading experts on information accessibility, and teaching clear print techniques. The guide covers issues ranging from different print formats through to making events accessible, producing audio recordings, web design, and examining what the law says.
Presented in four sections the guide starts by looking at practical issues. It considers issues such as publishing printed work, planning for events, and designing web sites. The second section offers a detailed look, using an A to Z of the key issues involved in creating inclusive publications and events. Part three visits legal issues and lays out in plain step by step terms what legislation to consider. It goes on to look at organisational plans to meet these demands. The fourth section provides useful contacts for further information about accessible information production.
Priced from £36, the guide is itself an example of good practice, uses plain English, and has a clear easy to read style.
Anyone providing information or services to the public would find it helpful. Those people and organisations whose role embraces working with, consulting or involving disabled people will find it a useful tool.
More information is available from the book’s dedicated web site at www.informationalternatives.co.uk where readers can view samples from the book as well as listen to sections of the audio version of the book.
Media Contact:
With People
P O Box 23821
Edinburgh
EH6 8XT
Telephone +44 131 510 0093
Fax +44 131 516 8871
E-mail info@withpeople.co.uk
Web site: www.withpeople.co.uk
