Accessibility

When we talk about Accessibility we mean, as far as possible, designing our website to enhance access for people who have disabilities, and where reasonable and possible, to actively promote access for all.

This website incorporates the following accessibility features:

  • Images have text alternates (ALT attributes) so that when you mouseover, text appears describing the image. This can be read by screen readers.
  • Pages are fully functional, even with Javascript turned off
  • Our minimum text size for the main content is point size 10 with the easy to read Verdana font throughout the site.
  • Users can use their browsers to zoom in on webpages to increase the size of the text in the page to suit, using View – Zoom menus
  • Page formatting uses CSS techniques that ensure that the semantic structure of the information is preserved no matter how many people update the site
  • There is sufficient contrast and colour differentiation between text and background for readability
  • We publish key information in HTML except where there is a specific requirement for other formats e.g. PDF files are the preferred format for research uploaded to the Clearing House
  • Our page widths are fixed at 1000 pixels catering to most computer monitors today
  • We don’t use ‘flash animation’ because it cannot be read by screen readers or iPad or iPhone

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How you can help

Consider adopting the good practice guidelines from Arts Access Aotearoa for your research.
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Text and content

  • Use easy to read fonts that are supported by all browsers such as Verdana or Arial.
  • Use a medium to large font size such as point size 12 or above.
  • Use language that is clear, concise and appropriate to the reader. Your visitor should be able to understand your content in a single reading. For more information and resources visit Plain English Power.
  • Use short sentences.
  • Avoid complex sentences and complex language – keep your words and sentences simple.
  • Images should be compressed and/or scaled down and/or cropped to the smallest possible size BEFORE you insert it into your word or powerpoint document. Use the smallest possible filesize while maintaining the quality you need. Most screens will display a great image at just 96dpi.
  • Language should be appropriate and non-offensive.
  • Using international access symbols, as well as accompanying text captions, makes the information accessible to all your audience members. These symbols are available online.

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Accessible design: General guidelines

  • Text should be left justified.
  • The main body of the text should use standard punctuation, capitals and lower case.
  • No hyphenation should be used at the end of lines.
  • Minimise the use of bold, italics and underlining.
  • Colour contrast of type to background should be at least 70 percent. The recommendation is black on white.
  • Maps or line drawings should be simple and bold.
  • Images should have captions with relevant explanations.
  • Graphics should not be printed over or floated on other images, graphics or text.
  • Photos should be clear and have contrast to the background (at least 60 percent is recommended).

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Accessible print guidelines

  • The main body of the text in your document should be in a minimum 10 point size but point size 12 is preferred.
  • Text should be a sans serif font (like Verdana or Arial), or in 13 point if a serif font (like Times-Roman).
  • Use bold sparingly. Only highlight a few words rather than a paragraph.
  • Keep the text layout simple and consistent.
  • Don’t use blocks of capitalised letters.
  • Avoid / minimise use of italics or underlining.
  • Material presented as large print should be in a minimum of 18 point using a sans serif font (minimum of 20 point if using a simple serif font).

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Alternative formats

  • Ideally, printed material should be available as audio, in large print and electronically.  You can upload all these to the Clearing House.
  • The availability of alternative formats should be promoted clearly on publicity material – e.g. audio material , plain text format and PDF documents, information in Braille.

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If you have more suggestions or great links please let us know!