How to make your resources accessible

Clear Print Guidelines

Ensure ALL your students can access your documents!

Format:

  • Use the default headings styles provided.  These create structural elements to provide a meaningful sequence which is particularly useful to users of assistive technologies (for example: screen readers that ‘speak’ the contents of a screen).
  • Bigger is better. Keep your text large; preferably between 12 and 18 points, depending on the font (point size varies between fonts).
    The font you choose should be clear, avoiding anything stylised.
  • All body text should be aligned to the left margin.  Avoid having a justified right margin.
  • Keep the text layout clear, simple and consistent.
  • When using bullet points and lists ensure every point is ended with punctuation (e.g. a Full Stop, Semi-Colon or Comma). This will enable a screen reader user to distinguish between different ideas. Without this punctuation, different ideas will be read as a single sentence, without pausing between concepts.
  • Use bold sparingly, only highlighting a few words at a time.
  • Avoid using blocks of CAPITALISED and italicised letters, and try not to use any underlining.
  • Text should not be overlaid on images.
  • Ensure there is sufficient tonal contrast between the text and background, bearing in mind those who experience visual discomfort from too high a contrast.
  • All text should be the same orientation on the page.
  • Space between columns of text should be large enough to be distinct.
  • Use page numbering.

Paper:

Avoid glossy or reflective paper.
Ensure the paper is thick enough to prevent show-through.

Visual information:

  • Bear in mind that screen reader users will require any information conveyed in colour or through images to be described.  This will be indicated in a student's Personal Learning Support Plan (PLSP) with accompanying instructions.

Bilingual resources

When producing bilingual resources, including course information, handouts and PowerPoint slides, in order to ensure that all students can access the information there needs to be a distinct separation of Welsh and English.  For example, ensure there is at least one clear line space between the two languages.  Separating languages into different sections is the preference.  Forms should be created in both Welsh and English rather than mixing the languages in the one document.   

Not only does this improve readability, it is also useful for when students wish to print materials in their language of preference.


 

 

 

 

 

 

04.05.2020