Print Accessibility
Introduction to Print Accessibility
About 18% of adult Australians experience a print disability which means they will have difficulty accessing standard printed information. The reasons for print disability vary but may include:
- vision impairment or blindness
- physical dexterity problems such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, arthritis or paralysis
- learning disability, such as dyslexia
- brain injury or cognitive impairment
- English as a second language
- literacy difficulties
- early dementia
People who experience print disability may require information to be provided in accessible formats. The assumption that all Australians can access standard printed information is fundamentally flawed and inadvertently marginalises a large group of people.
Our Services
Accessible Information Solutions
Vision Australia is the recognised national expert in assisting information providers to communicate effectively with people with a print disability. We advise on strategy, convert standard printed materials to accessible formats, promote the availability and assist too with distribution strategy.
We are intrinsically linked to the disability sector, understanding those needs. We work daily with all levels of government and national corporations to devise strategies and deliver information in accessible formats for people a print disability.
Our consultants are highly skilled in advising on good practice for all levels of government in relation to communication strategies to reach people who have difficulty accessing standard print, about 18% of the national population.
Alternate Format Production
We have the largest production capacity for alternate formats in Australia, operating out of two production facilities and providing the following capabilities:
- high quality dedicated audio production studios, using a broadcast quality professional studio package
- professional narrators and producers for maximum quality and consistency
- duplication facilities which produce audio cassettes (being phased out), compact discs and a wide range of audio files suitable for the web with appropriate sampling rates
- high volume braille mastering and embossing machinery and facilities at sites in Enfield New South Wales and Kooyong Victoria, also producing large print, electronic text and tactile graphics
- secure facilities to produce materials requiring high levels of confidentiality
- warehousing and distribution facilities at our Enterprises division in Victoria and Queensland.
Our production teams deliver large quantities of a range of accessible format materials, including:
- audio - CDA, DAISY (www.daisy.org) and audio files such as mp3 files for websites
- large print
- braille
- tactile diagrams and bold print graphics
- electronic text
Latest information made accessible
Designing a promotion and distribution strategy
Communication strategies are now complex and multi-faceted, using a wide range of mediums to target the diverse needs of the audiences. It stands to reason that the accompanying promotional strategies to reach that diverse audience will also be multi-faceted.
Our accessible information team can advise on promotion and distribution strategies, mirroring mainstream strategies, to reach effectively people with a print disability. We make use of our own internal channels, such as:
- Vision Australia's intranet
- email lists
- client newsletters
- Vision Australia Radio and the Radio for the Print Handicapped network across Australia (rph.org.au)
- direct distribution to people on our library database (government information only)
We also distribute information through other disability organisations and public libraries to spread the message about accessibility.
We will tailor your strategies to meet the specific needs of your campaign.
Find out more
Contact the Print Accessibility Solutions Team
Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania
Tricia Cooney
346 Macaulay Rd (cnr Stubbs St)
Kensington, VIC 3031
Phone: 03 8378 1252 or 1300 84 74 66
Email: tricia.cooney@visionaustralia.org
New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and NT
Yvonne Diab
4 Mitchell Street
Enfield, NSW 2136
Phone: 02 9334 3556 or 1300 84 74 66
Email: yvonne.diab@visionaustralia.org