Accessibility and alternate formats for printed material

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Accessibility and alternate formats for printed material

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womble Posts: 5614 Joined: 3/14/2005 From: Living on the edge Status: offline	Accessibility and alternate formats for printed material - 8/3/2005 4:39:20 This isn't strictly speaking a web design accessibility query, but it kind of overlaps with web design a little, so here goes... One of my current roles at work is producing literature (printed) for our 'customers' and we have to be able to make it available in alternate formats too: audio, large print, braille, other languages... I had an idea that we could put all the alternate formats on CD/CD-ROM with the various audio versions in mp3 or similar and printed version for large print in pdf (can zoom in to make it bigger). Putting aside the fact that the CD/CD-ROM format might not be appropariate for all our customers if they don't have access to CD/PC, I'm just wondering if there's anything else technically, accessibility wise I need to think of. (and of course from my employer's point of view a major consideration is going to be cost - whether it's worth producing all the alternate formats in advance, or on demand, but that's a whole other story...). One of my colleagues did ask how well screen readers cope with pdfs. My experience with screen readers is very limited (to the cheap/free ones where you highlight the text to have it read). Are screen readers good with pdfs? The information will also be available on the website though. It's usually done in pdf format, but now I'm wondering if we'd be best also doing a html (xhtml/css) version on the site as well? Just trying to weigh up whether pdf on the site would suffice, or whether plain old hmtl would be easier from an end-user's point of view? Any advice appreciated. _____________________________ ~~ "A cruel god ain't no god at all" ~~


Tailslide Posts: 6126 Joined: 5/10/2005 From: Out here on the raggedy edge Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 4:44:12 There's been a bit of controversy (ooh big suprise there then) about accessibility and PDFs - here's a couple of links: http://www.webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/ http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_booklet.html _____________________________ "My strategy is so simple an idiot could have devised it" Little Blue Plane Web Design \| Blood, Sweat & Rust - A Land Rover restoration project (in reply to womble)


womble Posts: 5614 Joined: 3/14/2005 From: Living on the edge Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 4:49:52 Thanks for that Tailslide. I'll take a look - just realised I can legitimately loiter on OF in 'work' time if I ask questions about work related stuff! _____________________________ ~~ "A cruel god ain't no god at all" ~~ (in reply to Tailslide)


Nicole Posts: 2843 Joined: 9/15/2004 From: Nambucca / Kempsey, Australia Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 4:57:42 Hi Womble... I'd have thought that working for a community service organisation directly dealing with accessibility day in and day out that they'd have a pretty good case for acquiring a few copies of different high quality screen readers? I know this doesn't answer your question and i know what it's like working for those kinds or organisations, people in other industries talk about lack of funds.....funding for community services ha! Nicole _____________________________ (in reply to womble)


womble Posts: 5614 Joined: 3/14/2005 From: Living on the edge Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 5:08:05 Ah, this is the problem Nicole. This stuff's for my paid job (though I use the term 'paid' loosly in the context of working in local govt.) The voluntary stuff, fine - if I say we need it, they generally say whatever I think (not particularly computer savvy - I had to give lessons on how to use win xp when we first got new PCs). LA stuff's a whole different kettle of fish - has to be approved by umpteen managers, IT will probably say not necessary, though our equalities officer is a personal friend of mine... _____________________________ ~~ "A cruel god ain't no god at all" ~~ (in reply to Nicole)


caz Posts: 3552 Joined: 10/10/2001 From: Somewhere south of Chester, UK Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 6:09:25 quote: IT will probably say not necessary They always say that and when whatever it is get's done eventually, they claim the credit. Just say the magic word, DDA _____________________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will dance, or more on your keyboard. Cheshire cat. www.doracat.co.uk I remember when it took less than 4hrs to fly across the Atlantic. (in reply to womble)


womble Posts: 5614 Joined: 3/14/2005 From: Living on the edge Status: offline	RE: Accessibility and alternate formats for printed mat... - 8/3/2005 6:36:04 Hmmm, I feel a consultation with my friend the equalities officer coming on.... _____________________________ ~~ "A cruel god ain't no god at all" ~~ (in reply to caz)