How can I ensure that my electronic materials are accessible?

Materials online are almost always more accessible than paper based alternatives. It is important to produce materials electronically; as this can be a solution to many accessibility issues. For example colours, fonts and magnification are often easy to customise.

Text can usually be read out with appropriate screen reading software. Navigation can be easier than using a book (particularly for students with visual difficulties or for those with concentration difficulties).

Standard "office type" software such as word processors and presentation software like PowerPoint can positively add to the usability of resources, particularly if designed with accessibility in mind. To learn more about how you can produce accessible electronic materials, have a look at the TechDis Accessibility Essentials Series, in particular the guidance pack called ‘Writing Accessible Electronic Documents with Microsoft ® Word’ or go to http://www.techdis.ac.uk/