Preface
In times of emergency, aid organizations publish lots of vital information designed to help people know how to act, where to evacuate, recognize an alarm, who can be contacted for help, and so on. It is important to remember that many people may not be able to access the information due to disabilities or other difficulties.
For example, people with hearing impairments who do not hear alarms or cannot receive information over the audio of a phone. People with visual impairments who cannot read written or online information without special accommodations. People with cognitive disabilities or language difficulties have difficulty understanding overly complex and dense information. In order for all people to be able to get all the information they need during an emergency; it is important to make the information accessible and tailored to the people’s needs.
How is it done?
- Characterize all the information you publish: In writing, orally, online, by phone, flyers, forms and more.
- Pre-access in several different forms of accessibility, depending on the information.
- Work with vendors like printing houses and graphic designers who are capable of producing accessible information.
- Offer people options of accessible information as needed.
What forms of accessibility exist?
Written information:
- Accessible printing
- Typographical letters (sans serif – no decorations at the end of the letter).
- The font is thickened in size to 16 to 22 points and in a color that contrasts with the color of the page.
- Sample Fonts (Thickened, 16 points): Arial, Calibri
- If it is necessary to fill in information – there are spaces appropriate in size.
- The paper is not glossy and has no decorations or pictures in the background.
- Linguistic simplification
- The purpose of using linguistic simplification is to provide clear text for people with cognitive disabilities, language difficulties, and learning disabilities.
- Text in linguistic simplification includes:
- Short sentences
- In the active form
- Arranged in a logical chronological order
- Use of symbols that complete the text
- Audio file
A file (like an MP3) containing a recording of the entire written information. The file can be played in various voice playback software.
- Accessible PDF
File readable by screen reader software. The file has a clear definition of elements such as headings, fields in which information must be filled out and more. Images include a concise and clear image description. Tables are clearly read with the association of each cell to the relevant row and column.
- Reading
All written information can be read in full.
- Braille
A tactile reading and writing method in which prominent points indicate letters and other signs. Not every blind person reads Braille.
Verbal information:
- Personal hearing aid system
A system consisting of a transmitter and a receiver (which can also constitute a hearing aid in itself). The system is in the possession of a service recipient, and he requests the service provider for use of the transmitter.
- A written communication alternative
Use of a written option for answering phone calls, emails, SMS, WhatsApp
- Spontaneous writing
The service provider writes while speaking – not necessarily everything that is said, but key information and words that the customer has difficulty understanding.
- Transcription
Real-time typing of all the information orally spoken. Important for the hearing impaired. Can also be helpful for people with voice comprehension difficulties.
- Translation into sign language
Sign language is a language in itself, and is not the same as spoken language. Sign language is spoken by people with hearing disabilities, most often deaf people. The translation is performed by a skilled sign language translator. The translation will be in one of the official languages spoken by the client.
- Supportive and alternative communication
Boards with pictures and/or verbal information intended for people with cognitive and communicative disabilities and constitute for them an alternative to verbal communications. The board is custom, so each person has their own board.
Reading in Braille – Link to a video with a reading of an excerpt from Harry Potter, in Braille – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQLxJ2-zwVk
Screen Reader Demo – Link to a (slightly old) demo video of a screen reader software called Jaws – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQO4S1t2uiA