Accessible Information

Not having access to information in a format you can read is a barrier to independence. From bus timetables and utility bills to websites and text books, this is a basic human right.

Businesses spend approximately £20 billion each year on communicating with their customers. With two million people with sight problems in the UK who cannot read standard print, businesses cannot afford to ignore this customer group.

Companies and organisations are legally required to make reasonable adjustment to provide accessible information or services under the Disability Discrimination Act.

About accessible information

• Find out about the history of braille, how it is used to today and our braille services, guides and training.
• Blind and partially sighted people use a variety of formats and ways of communicating.
• Visit our Research Library if you are doing research on accessible information.
• Take a tour of our Peterborough site to find out more about accessible information production.

Making your information accessible

• The revised See it Right book offers practical advice on planning, designing and producing information.
• Specific advice on accessibility is available as part of our business to business services.
• Our Web Access Centre gives web designers and managers the tools and resources needed to plan, build and test accessible websites. Web accessibility consultancy services and a directory of accessible sites are also available.
• The Accessible Media Service in our Northern Ireland Resource Centre provides guidance on how to make information more accessible.

Campaigns

• Our access to information campaign highlights the reality of living in the UK with a sight problem. People have shared their experiences (good and bad) of getting information they can read.
• Our Right to Read campaign shows that blind and partially sighted children are losing out on their education due to the shortage of textbooks available to them.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41