How can you make print materials accessible to people with disabilities?

1 Choose fonts and colors wisely

The fonts and colors you use for your print materials can make a big difference in how easy or difficult they are to read for people with disabilities. Choose fonts that are clear, simple, and consistent throughout your document. Avoid fonts that are too small, too fancy, or too similar to each other. Use colors that contrast well with the background and do not create glare or confusion for people with color blindness. Avoid using colors to convey meaning or emphasis, and use alternative methods such as bold, italic, or underline. You can use online tools such as Color Oracle or WebAIM Color Contrast Checker to test how your colors appear to different types of color blindness.

2 Use clear and simple language

The language you use for your print materials can also affect how accessible they are to people with disabilities. Use clear and simple language that is easy to understand and follow. Avoid jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that may not be familiar to your audience. If you have to use them, explain them in plain language or provide a glossary. Use short sentences and paragraphs, and use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to organize your information. You can use online tools such as Hemingway Editor or Readable to check the readability and clarity of your text.

3 Provide alternative formats and options

Some people with disabilities may not be able to access print materials at all, or may prefer to access them in a different format or mode. For example, some people may use screen readers, magnifiers, or Braille devices to read print materials. Some people may prefer to listen to audio versions or watch videos of print materials. Some people may need larger print, tactile graphics, or captions for print materials. To make your print materials accessible to people with disabilities, you should provide alternative formats and options that suit their needs and preferences. For example, you can provide digital versions of your print materials that are compatible with assistive technologies, such as PDFs with tags and alt text. You can also provide audio or video versions of your print materials, with captions and transcripts. You can also provide print materials in large print, Braille, or tactile formats, if requested.

4 Test and evaluate your print materials

The best way to make sure your print materials are accessible to people with disabilities is to test and evaluate them with real users. You can ask for feedback from people with disabilities who are part of your target audience, or from accessibility experts who can assess your print materials according to accessibility standards and guidelines. You can also use online tools such as WAVE or AChecker to check your print materials for accessibility errors or issues. By testing and evaluating your print materials, you can identify and fix any problems that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing your message.

5 Follow accessibility standards and guidelines

Adhering to accessibility standards and guidelines is essential for making print materials accessible to people with disabilities. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, the PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility) standard, the Accessible Print Design Guide, and the Accessible Media Production Guide are all relevant for print materials, providing best practices and recommendations for creating text alternatives, color contrast, structure, tags, alt text, bookmarks, metadata, fonts, colors, layout, and images. By following these standards and guidelines, you can guarantee that your print materials comply with the accessibility requirements and expectations of your audience and stakeholders.

6 Review and update your print materials

Accessibility is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process. You should review and update your print materials regularly to make sure they are still accessible to people with disabilities. You should also monitor the changes and developments in accessibility standards, technologies, and best practices, and adapt your print materials accordingly. You should also seek feedback from your audience and stakeholders, and incorporate their suggestions and preferences into your print materials. By reviewing and updating your print materials, you can maintain and improve their accessibility and quality over time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?