Deciding which accessible format to use

Is your communication or campaign targeted at people with a particular disability? Or do you know there will be a high proportion of people with a particular disability in your audience?

Some formats suit one type of disability more than another:

Alternatives to visual communication

These resources are from the SA Government Online Accessibility Toolkit:

• audio
• video and multimedia
• braille
• accessible print
• telephone.

Easy communications

These resources are from the SA Government Online Accessibility Toolkit:

• easy read
• plain language
• audio
• accessible print
• video and multimedia.

Alternatives to audio communications

These resources are from the SA Government Online Accessibility Toolkit:

• sign language (Auslan)
• video and multimedia.

Co-ordination difficulties

These resources are from the SA Government Online Accessibility Toolkit:

• accessible print
• audio
• video and multimedia
• telephone.

Consider the preferences your target audience has for receiving information.

For example, younger people may respond better to text messages than sub-titled advert. Researching your audience will help you understand what they need.

Reducing the need for accessible format versions

Keep it simple.

Making your content more accessible will reduce the need for producing accessible formats. It will also appeal to a greater number of people.

Alternative channels

Different communication channels you choose are just as important as the accessible formats you provide or offer.

For example, you may have produced a print recruitment advert for a vacant job. Translating this into braille is unlikely to be the best method of reaching all people with visual disability.

• As an accessible alternative you could produce an audio advert for radio. This could be commercial or a specialist channel such as Vision Australia Radio.
• You could also deliver your message by engaging with disability organisations directly.

Summary versions

It can be more time-consuming and tiring to absorb the same amount of information listening to an audiotape or CD, or watching sign language than scanning through a document by eye.

The most important thing is that the information or messages are received. Consider providing a summary of important points in accessible formats.

For example, a long report or policy summarised into audio or the translated into easy read format.

Give the key points and a contact telephone number for further information.