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.