The term “alternative formats” refers to printed and electronic versions of documents intended for users with disabilities. In both print and digital environments, certain users may be unable to read text. These users can benefit from having the document content represented in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a variety of disabilities that can prevent a given user from reading either a printed or digital document. These can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The way document content is presented must be modified to accommodate people with varying disabilities. There are several alternative formats available to make the content universally accessible. This may involve changing how the content is presented or even transcribing it into a different media altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the amount and variety of information available in print and digital forms continue to increase, providing equal access to all users has become vital. This is particularly important as the number of people with disabilities is expected to grow alongside the aging population of North America. Therefore, alternative formats have gained significant importance as they offer everyone the best and most personalized access to information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allyant has a great deal of experience creating and remediating alternative format documents: we have seen an increase in their availability in all sectors, from educational textbooks and testing materials to bank and utility statements to menus in restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s review the above-mentioned alternative formats, their characteristics, and how they have developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Braille<\/a> is perhaps the most famous alternative format. It replaces print characters with raised dots: these are presented in \u201ccells,\u201d which may contain up to six dots. Each cell can represent a letter, number, punctuation mark, symbol, or even a whole word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with visual disabilities can use touch to read the system of dots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Braille was originally produced on embossed paper and card and, more recently, on various\u00a0refreshable braille display\u00a0devices<\/a>. There are also\u00a0braille keyboards<\/a>\u00a0available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Braille can be used to represent alphabetic, numeric, musical, and mathematical notations. It can also be used to teach language skills, including grammar, spelling, and vocabulary, to people who are deaf-blind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are braille codes for over 133 languages. There are multiple formats of braille, including (in English)\u00a0Unified English Braille (UEB)<\/a>, the older English Braille American Edition (EBAE), and the Nemeth braille code for mathematic and scientific notation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Large print is the term for printed matter in which the font size (also called \u201ctypeface\u201d) is much larger than standard font size and is specifically intended for use by people with low vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Large print requires a minimum of 14-point font size and above, and usually 18-point font size or greater<\/strong>. This allows people with low vision, including tunnel vision or partial sight, to have an easier time reading text and to avoid eye strain and exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLarge Print<\/h3>\n\n\n\n