Table of Contents
What is accessible information?
Accessible information is information that can be understood by everyone.
Sometimes this is difficult to do with one version of the information. Sometimes we can offer different versions like a written document plus a video.
At Inclusion Ireland we include a video version of our publications with all of the information written on the screen in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand way.
We add pictures to help people understand what it is saying for people who may not fully understand the words.
The words are also spoken in the video.
Accessible information makes a lot of sense when you think about all the many ways people communicate.
We have a great team of people who use easy-to-read information and help us to make our publications. They read our information and tell us if it is accessible and how to make it better.
At Inclusion Ireland we are trying to make our information more accessible every day. We will continue to learn from you and upskill in accessible ways to produce information. If there is a way that we can make our information more accessible to you then please let us know.
Your right to accessible information
Your right to accessible information is protected in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under Article 21.
Article 21 – Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information.
- Providing information intended for the general public to persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies.
- Accepting and facilitating AAC.
- Recognising and promoting ISL.
- Encouraging the media to use accessible communication.
There are other laws and policies that protect your right to accessible information in specific ways such as the Public Sector Duty and The European Accessibility Act, 2019.
You can learn about Public Sector Duty here: https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/public-sector-duty/
For a great overview of the EU Accessibility Act check out Mason, Hayes and Curran here~: https://www.mhc.ie/latest/insights/overview-of-the- european-accessibility-act
How can you make information more accessible?
There are lot of ways to make your information more accessible. For example, you can make easy to read versions of documents, signage and policies. Examples could be:
- meeting agendas
- menus
- emergency procedures
- communication policy
You can make these using apps like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat or Canva. We would also recommend that you have easy to read users test or proof-read your documents because they are the real experts at this.
If you want to make accessible videos with easy to read features you can also use apps such as PowerPoint, Canva or Filmora. Some of the apps we have mentioned have free features but to get upgraded accounts you have to pay a subscription fee.
To see examples of our easy to read videos head on over to our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/inclusionireland
We use PhotoSymbols.com for most of our images but there are other sites that you can use. We prefer to use photographic images where we can as they are the easiest for people to understand.
Useful Resources
www.ahead.ie/allyship-accessible-comms (accessible communications in the classroom) www.nda.ie/accessibility for all the latest updates in accessible communication including the EU Web Accessibility Directive, their own accessibility toolkit and their work with The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) on implementing the new European digital accessibility standards.
www.photosymbols.com (Foundation Course in Easy Read)
The Housing Agency for great examples of incorporating accessible information practices in the public sector: The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2021-2017 and Housing Options.
