accessible communication handbook
DESCRIPTION
This handbook, to be used in conjunction with the Guide to Accessible Communication, was established by Liberty Resources in collaboration with the Masters of Industrial Design program at The University of the Arts. It shares information about the multiple ability levels and how Liberty Resources makes communication accessible for all.TRANSCRIPT
Accessible CommunicationHandbook
Copyright © 2011 by Sara HallIllustrations copyright © 2011 by Sara Hall
All rights reserved. No portion of this guide may be reproduced–mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying–without written permission of the publisher.
Masters of Industrial DesignThe University of the Arts212 South Broad Street, 5th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19102
First printing May 2011
Liberty Resources is the leader in accessible communication because we employ and
serve a diverse range of ability levels. This handbook, to be used in conjunction with the Guide to Accessible Communication, was established by Liberty Resources in
collaboration with the Masters of Industrial Design program at The University of the Arts.
It shares information about the multiple ability levels and how Liberty Resources makes communication accessible for all.
ContentsUsing this Book 06Auditory 09
About 10
Methods 12
Cognitive 15
About 16
Methods 18
Physical 21
About 22
Methods 24
Visual 27
About 28
Methods 30
6
This book addresses the multiple ability levels of people that Liberty employs. It features the four major disability catergories:
Using this Book
Physical
Cognitive
Visual
Auditory
Each disability category has two sections:
About: • Defines the disability• Names common types• Names common
assistive technologies used
• Etiquette
Methods: What Liberty uses to
make communication more accessible
?
The Guide to Accessible Communication can be used with this handbook to elaborate on the ideas presented.
7
Auditory
10
People with auditory needs have impairments that affect their ability to fully or partially detect or understand sounds.
Common Types:• Deafness• Mild hearing loss
Common Assistive Technology used:• Interpreters• Hearing aids• Speech to text readers
About
11
Etiquette• Eliminate unnecessary noise (i.e.
close the door to a conference room while in a meeting).
• For those with interpreters: • Speak directly to the individual.
• For those who can read lips:• Speak slowly and enunciate.• Do not exaggerate.• Keep objects away from you
mouth.
12
Captioning:Always provide visual captions with audio or video, this way one can read the narration.
Methods
13
For Meetings:• Have a Clear Goal. This will help keep
the meeting on topic. It also provides a way to measure the process of the meeting.
• Create an Agenda. Identify what needs to be addressed in the meeting. Place time restraints on these tasks to keep the meeting on schedule.
• Summarize. At the end of the meeting, review the agenda, record what has been completed, and reiterate the major conclusions.
Cognitive
16
People with cognitive needs have
impairments that affect their ability to
reason, understand, and learn.
Common types:
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Alzheimer’s
About
17
Etiquette
• Use simple and concrete language.
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Rephrase and repeat if necessary.
18
Explaining GraphicsTo meet accessibility needs, explain everything shown, from graphics to text. Doing this will help you convey your message to the audience.
In-depth explanation of what is being shown, clarifies the presenter’s intent. The graphic on the opposite page shows how this can be done.
Methods
19
For Meetings:• Have a Clear Goal. This will help keep
the meeting on topic. It also provides a way to measure the process of the meeting.
• Create an Agenda. Identify what needs to be addressed in the meeting. Place time restraints on these tasks to keep the meeting on schedule.
• Summarize. At the end of the meeting, review the agenda, record what has been completed, and reiterate the major conclusions.
Physical
22
People with physical needs have impairments that affect their ability to ambulate, move, or perform any related function. This can also include impairments that limit other facets of daily living.
Common types: • Paralysis• Sleep Apnea• Epilepsy
Common assistive technology:• Wheelchairs• Crutches
About
23
?
Etiquette
• Ensure space is accessible, barriers
and obstacles should be removed.
• Do not hang or lean on wheelchair, a
wheelchair is an extension of its user.
• If speaking for an extend time, speak
to people at eye level, sit in a chair if
necessary.
24
For Meetings:• Have a Clear Goal. This will help keep
the meeting on topic. It also provides a way to measure the process of the meeting.
• Create an Agenda. Identify what needs to be addressed in the meeting. Place time restraints on these tasks to keep the meeting on schedule.
• Summarize. At the end of the meeting, review the agenda, record what has been completed, and reiterate the major conclusions.
Methods
25
BrainstormingBrainstorming is a great way to generate ideas and solutions. An effective brainstorming process ensures that everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts. To effectively brainstorm, a clear common goal should be set. Decide what topic, problem, or issue you want to address at the beginning of the session.
Visual
28
People with visual needs have impairments that affect their sight.
Common types:
• Loss of visual field
• Inability to detect small changes in
brightness
• Color blindness
• Sensitivity to light
• Blindness
About
29
Common assistive technology:• Canes• Service Animals• Text to speech software• Braille
Etiquette
• Identify yourself when entering and
exiting a room.
• Do not touch or pet service animals.
• Keep doors either open or closed.
30
14-Point VerdanaSans-serif fonts, such as Verdana, are fonts that do not have glyphs attached to them. 14-point is the minimum size for large print while the sans-serif font and color combination is legible for all ability levels.
Methods
31
Accessible EmailThe following techniques ensure accessibility for emails:• Always use regular, black, 14-point
Verdana font on a white background. All emails from outside sources must also be converted to this format.
• Do not include images or other media in email.
• If including an attachment, always attach a plain text file in addition to the original document.
32
Explain graphics:To meet accessibility needs, explain everything shown, from graphics to text. Doing this will help you convey your message to the audience.
In-depth explanation of what is being shown,clarifiesthepresenter’sintent.Thegraphic on the opposite page shows how this can be done.
33
Shared FilesAlwaysincludeaplaintextfilewithotherdocument types. Not all documents can be translated by assistive technology. Plain text filesshouldbesavedinadditiontootherfiletypes. This will ensure that all methods of assistive technology can read and access the file.
Liberty Resources is the leader in accessible communication because we employ and
serve a diverse range of ability levels. This handbook, to be used in conjunction with the Guide to Accessible Communication, was established by Liberty Resources in
collaboration with the Masters of Industrial Design program at The University of the Arts.
It shares information about the multiple ability levels and how Liberty Resources makes communication accessible for all.