Creating Accessible Resources
Below are some resources that can help us understand the need for creating accessible materials and the tools to support us incorporate this in our standard practice. Developing accessible resources is integral in inclusive teaching and learning practices and will help not only disabled students and staff but will also benefit the whole of our university community.
If we follow some basic guidelines when creating any new documents, webpages or other materials, our resources will be accessible and user friendly for all staff and students. If we get into the habit of always planning with accessibility in mind from the start, instead of having to invest time to retrospectively convert materials, our resources will be accessible by default. Below are some useful tools to enable us to incorporate accessibility in our everyday practices.
Layout
Here is a useful and simple set of rules that clearly illustrate how important layout is at this link. The format of a document is very important for people using screen readers.
Microsoft Tools
Microsoft Office Accessibility tool in Word and PowerPoint. This easy to use option in Word and PowerPoint, checks your documents for accessibility.
Microsoft Office guide for creating accessible PowerPoint slides.
Microsoft Office guide for creating accessible Word documents.
IT Services
Take a look at the IT Services guidance on accessibility.
Accessible PDFs
This document contains useful guidance for creating accessible PDFs. The standards, created by UKAAF (UK Association for Accessible Formats), are broken down into two levels: Level 1 that makes a PDF accessible for reflowing and text to speech users and Level 2 that makes the PDF accessible for screen reader users.
University website accessibility statement and guidance
You can find more information about the University's web accessibility statement, guidance for authors and additional resources at this link.
External resources
AbilityNet offer a range of free resources and fact sheets on creating accessible documents. You can also find guidance to employers as well as other resources at the RNIB.