Accessible Information: Policy and Guidelines for
Local Government
Objective
To ensure people with disability have the same opportunities as other community
members to access public documents and information relating to Council’s functions,
services and facilities.
Policy Statement
People with disability have the same rights as other community members to access
public information about Council’s functions, services and facilities. In accordance
with existing legislative responsibilities, it is recommended that, wherever possible,
councils provide:
1. printed and electronic public information in clear and easy to understand formats
2. on request from people with specific communication requirements, information in
alternative formats such as audio tape or large print
3. accessible public consultation processes and venues for people with disability.
Guidelines
The following guidelines have been developed to assist Local Governments provide
their information so that it is as accessible as possible to people with disability. The
types of information include items such as:
 council minutes/agendas
 advertisements
 maps
 directories
 brochures
 electoral/voting information
 rate notices
 parking notices/infringements
 annual reports/budgets
 timetables
 library materials.
The above list is not intended to be exhaustive but is an indicative listing of the type
of information that should be available and accessible for people with disability.
1. All public information will be in clear and easy to understand
formats
Printed information
It is recommended that printed information:
 is made clear and easy to understand through the use of plain English, short
sentences, clear headings, no jargon and through the use of pictures or
diagrams where appropriate
 is made clear and easy to read by using a minimum font size of 12 point, and
where possible 14 point or larger on brochures and advertising. The use of
photocopiers for enlarging text may also be an acceptable solution in some
situations
 is produced in a plain and, where possible, sans serif font such as Arial or
Helvetica
 uses text of a dark colour that significantly contrasts with the background
 is printed on matt, non-reflective paper
 displays important information in bold and larger print
 avoids using upper case only as this is less easy to read
Website information
Information provided on the Internet website and for e-commerce activities should be
designed to comply with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to Level 1,
and preferably to Level 2 compliance. These national and international recognised
access guidelines are available through the W3C website (www.w3.org).
For web pages, contact Vision Australia.org (www.visionaustralia.org) to download
information about the colour contrast analyser 2.2 under business and professionals
>digital accessibility services>resources>tools to download>colour contrast analyser
2.2. It is primarily a tool for checking foreground & background colour combinations
to determine if they provide good colour visibility. It also contains functionality to
create simulations of certain visual conditions such as colour blindness. The contrast
ratio helps determine whether or not the contrast between two colours can be read
by people with colour blindness or other visual impairments.
Signage
Wherever practical, all internal signage for Council facilities should be provided in
accordance with the above guidelines. Internal signage should:


be positioned so as to be clearly visible to people with a disability, in
accordance with AS1428.1 and AS1428.2
be appropriately located at entrances and reception desks


use arrows to give directional information about facilities and services, where
appropriate
make use of the relevant international symbols to provide clear information
about accessible facilities for people with a disability.
2. Information is provided in formats that meet the specific
communication requirements of people with disabilities.
These guidelines recommend that the alternative formats detailed below will be
provided on request only from a person with a disability. Information can usually
be provided in alternative formats for little or no additional cost. The attached
indicative Schedule of Costs is provided to assist councils to provide their public
information in an alternative format when requested.
The most appropriate alternative formats vary according to an individual’s specific
communication requirements and can include:
 the website
 email
 computer disk
 audio cassette
 large print text (e.g. in 18 point –this may simply require enlarging text with the
use of a photocopier)
 ensuring audio loops (with appropriate signage) are fitted for public meetings
and events where public address systems are used
 captioning any videos or films, including advertisements, produced by council
 the use of the AUSLAN (sign language) interpreting service
 the use of the ACE telephone interpreting service
 Braille format, if requested (see attached Schedule of Costs for further
information).
It is recommended that Council publicise that alternative formats are available on
request:


–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
on documents with a statement that reads, "This publication is available in
alternative formats such as braille, on request", or words to that effect
to the community, through initiatives such as:
newsletters and publications
community newspapers
information radio
TV announcements with captions for the hearing impaired
libraries and other facilities where public documents are displayed
brochure stand displays
directories
informing disability agencies or disability support organisations.
– ‘Better Hearing’ counter cards will be displayed, wherever practical, at front
counters.
3. Public consultation processes and venues are accessible to
people with disability.
Staff should be aware of how to make their community consultation processes and
venues accessible to people with disability. Information about this is contained in the
Disability Service Commission publication Creating Accessible Events.
Indicative schedule of costs and guidelines for organising information in alternative formats
Alternative format
Description
Email attachment
All text should be in 12 font size
-
No extra cost.
Large print (18 point font)
Large print should be 18 point font size-
-
No extra cost.
CD

To narrate text onto a CD by a
person

Audio loops
To copy text from a document onto
a CD
An audio loop consists of an amplifier and
long cable which transmits sound from a
public address system to the hearing aids
of people who are positioned inside the
loop cable. Audio loops are available for
hire to assist people with a hearing
impairment at public events.
Contact

Approximate cost
Telephone VisAbility
9311 8202
$2.50 per minute cost for narration
Variable cost depending on size of
document(s) to copy text.

Email
access@dsc.wa.gov.au
Better Hearing Australia TSH
Ph: (08) 9387 9811
$100 for the first day, then
$80 for each day after.
($100 bond)
Please contact for further details.
Better Hearing Kits
These stand-up front counter cards Better Hearing Australia TSH
contain information for staff about Ph: (08) 9387 9811
communicating with people with hearing
impairments.
No extra cost.
AUSLAN interpreting
Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN)
interpreting service
$75 for one hour (excluding GST)
Prior notice required for booking.
The WA Deaf Society Inc
Ph: (08) 9441 2677
Alternative format
Description
Contact
Approximate cost
ACE National Relay
Service (or telephone
interpreting)
This 24-hour service is provided
through the Australian Communication
Exchange (ACE) and involves relaying
messages from a voice phone user to
a deaf or hearing impaired person who
uses a telephone typewriter (TTY).
24-hour relay call numbers:
TTY and voice 133 677;
Speak and listen 1300 555
727;
SMS relay 0423 677 767;
Helpdesk available Monday–
Friday 8.00am–6.00pm for
general information;
TTY 1800 555 630 (freecall);
Voice 1800 555 660
(freecall);
SMS 0416 001350;
Email:
helpdesk@relayservice.com.
au
Web:
www.relayservice.gov.au
Please contact for further details.
Captioning
Advice and assistance with captioning Red Bee Media
of videos and films.
1300 304 103
Channel 7 media
(08) 9344 0777
VisAbility
Ph: (08) 9311 8202
email: braille@abwa.asn.au
Please contact for further details.
Braille
$5.50 per Braille page for master
document (two pages of Braille is
equal to one A4 page with size 12
font) and 66cents per Braille page
to copy thereafter.