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The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) offers a range of advice that arts venues can use to better serve the two million people in the UK who have a sight problem.

As well as being morally right, making efforts to accommodate all customers is now a legal obligation for all businesses. Through inertia, under-funding, building restrictions and sometimes plain ignorance, many public spaces, including galleries and theatres, do not offer open access to the two million people in Britain who have a sight problem. However, steps to improve access are not all expensive or limiting.

Words

Blind and partially sighted people read information in different ways. The size of the type (known as point size) is a fundamental factor in legibility. The RNIB recommends a minimum of 12 point text, although 14 point will reach more people with sight problems. Others need this information in a different format to standard print. This could be larger print, spoken word audio on tape or CD, Braille, electronic documents on floppy disk or over the internet. Spoken word audio is accessible to everyone except those with very poor hearing. It is also ideal for people with learning difficulties, low literacy levels, or those who may have problems with their hands. However, many blind and partially sighted people prefer particular types of information in braille, to be read silently.

On printed materials, the better the contrast between the background and text, the more legible the text will be. Contrast is affected by the size and weight of the type. Black text on white background provides the best contrast. When using white type, the background colour must be dark enough to provide sufficient contrast. Glossy paper should be avoided because glare makes it difficult to read (uncoated paper weighing over 90gsm is recommended). Arial, Universe and New Century Schoolbook are all good examples of clear and legible typefaces, while simulated handwriting and ornate typefaces can be particularly difficult to read, as are capital letters and italicised text. The space between one line of type and the next (known as leading) is also important. As a general rule, the space should be 1.5 to 2 times the space between words on a line. Ideally, line length should be between 60?70 letters per line. Lines that are too long or too short tire the eyes. The same applies to sentence and paragraph lengths, which should also be neither too long nor too short.

Electronic communication

Making information available in an electronic format can be a cheap and easy way to reach a growing number of blind and partially sighted people who use a computer with text-to-speech, screen magnification software or other ?access technology? devices. Flexibility makes websites more user friendly ? and consequently more usable ? which in turn is likely to encourage more users! Customers should be able to adjust text and colour settings in their browsers to suit their individual needs. Careful website design is paramount for people accessing the web using speech access, because inappropriate use of HTML can make a website unreadable.

Signage

A well-designed, legible sign system can benefit everyone by increasing people?s awareness of their surroundings and helping them to get around. Signs that are well designed, enhanced by tactile symbols and placed in appropriate locations for their function, will make a venue safe, manageable and inviting. Signs should be grouped into one of three categories: information (e.g. floor plans and directories), directional (e.g. lift lobby areas and corridors) and identification (e.g. door signs). Their content should be simple, short and easily understood, with text and lettering in a clear uncomplicated font, and consistent use of wording and pictograms throughout the building. They should not be located where glare reduces the legibility, and should be illuminated either by lighting or by back illumination.

Start talking

Making information accessible is often cheaper and easier than many people think. When compared with the amount an organisation spends on standard print information, the cost is probably very small. Information produced in a range of alternative formats should be of equivalent quality, the same price and available at the same time as standard print. To achieve this, it is essential to plan the production of the alternative formats at the same time as planning the standard print version of brochures and programmes. When alternative formats have been produced, customers need to be made aware that they are available. Every standard print publication should have a clear, large print statement (16 point) in a prominent place about the availability of alternative formats. Unfortunately, many blind and partially sighted people have low expectations of getting information in a way they can read, so they don?t ask for it. This is often misinterpreted by organisations as lack of demand. Local radio, public libraries, Talking Newspapers and local societies for blind and partially sighted people are useful ways to contact people with sight loss, and this personal contact is the best way forward. Focus groups and informal questioning of users can be invaluable in producing print that works for everyone. The best way to start serving all of the potential audience is to start talking to them!

The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) has created ?See it Right?, a pack of 12 booklets giving comprehensive advice to venues and employers about how to make buildings more accessible. e: seeitright@rnib.org.uk. For more information on accessible environments, contact JMU, t: 020 7391 2002, w: http://www.jmuaccess.org.uk. For more information on how arts and heritage organisations can make their events, services and collections more accessible to blind and partially sighted people, contact Catherine Hillis t: 020 7391 2328; w: http://www.rnib.org.uk.