Accessible Information:
Policy and Guidelines for Local Government
November 2001
Objective
To ensure people with disabilities 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 disabilities 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; and
3. accessible public consultation processes and venues for people with disabilities.
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 disabilities.
The types of information includes items such as:
Council minutes / agendas;
advertisements;
maps;
directories;
brochures;
electoral / voting information;
rate notices;
parking notices / infringements;
annual reports / budgets;
timetables; and
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 disabilities.
Accessible Information Policy & Guidelines for Local Governments produced by
Western Australian Municipal Association. References Disability Services
Commission’s Access Resource Kit & City of Perth information Policy and Procedures
Page 1
November
2001
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; and
avoids combining red and green colours in lettering, as this provides poor
contrast and is difficult to read for people who are colour blind.
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
website www.w3.org
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; and
make use of the relevant international symbols to provide clear
information about accessible facilities for people with a disability.
Accessible Information Policy & Guidelines for Local Governments produced by
Western Australian Municipal Association. References Disability Services
Commission’s Access Resource Kit & City of Perth information Policy and Procedures
Page 2
November
2001
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 Internet website;
e-mail;
computer disk;
audio cassette;
large print text (eg. 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; and
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 similar words to that effect.

to the community, through initiatives such as:
newsletters / 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; and
informing disability agencies or disability support organisations.

‘Better Hearing’ counter cards will be displayed, wherever practical, at front
counters.
Accessible Information Policy & Guidelines for Local Governments produced by
Western Australian Municipal Association. References Disability Services
Commission’s Access Resource Kit & City of Perth information Policy and Procedures
Page 3
November
2001
3 Public consultation processes and venues are accessible to
people with disabilities.
Staff should be aware of how to make their community consultation processes and
venues accessible to people with disabilities. Information about this is contained in
the Disability Service Commission publication, Creating Accessible Events.
Accessible Information Policy & Guidelines for Local Governments produced by
Western Australian Municipal Association. References Disability Services
Commission’s Access Resource Kit & City of Perth information Policy and Procedures
Page 4
November
2001
INDICATIVE SCHEDULE OF COSTS
AND
GUIDELINES FOR ORGANISING INFORMATION IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS
ALTERNATIVE
FORMAT
DESCRIPTION
CONTACT
APPROXIMATE COST
E-mail attachment
-
-
No extra cost
Large print (18 pt. font)
-
-
No extra cost
Computer disk
-
-
$10
CD
-
-
$10
Audio cassette
A service that converts text documents into Association for the Blind
audio cassette format.
Ph: 9311 8202
15 mins or less: $20/cassette
15 - 84 mins:
$30/cassette
(1 week prior notice required.
$2 per extra cassette copy.)
Audio loops
An audio loop consists of an amplifier and Better Hearing Australia
long cable which transmits sound from a Ph: (08) 9328 7938
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.
$100 for the first day, then
$80 for each day after
These stand-up front counter cards contain Better Hearing Australia
information for staff about communicating Ph: (08) 9328 7938
with people with hearing impairments.
No extra cost
Better Hearing Kits
($100 bond)
Accessible Information: Policy and guidelines for Local Governments produced by WAMA. References Disability
Services Commission’s Access Resource Kit and the City of Perth Information Policy
Page 5
November 2001
ALTERNATIVE
FORMAT
DESCRIPTION
CONTACT
AUSLAN Interpreting
Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN)
Interpreting Service.
ACE National Relay
Service (or telephone
interpreting)
This 24 hour service is provided through the Australian Communication
Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) Exchange
and involves relaying messages from a Ph: 1800 652 201 / 13 25 44
voice phone user to a deaf or hearing
impaired person who uses a telephone
typewriter (TTY).
No extra cost - price of the call
Captioning
Advice and assistance with captioning of • Facilities Manager
videos and films and is available from:
Australian Caption Centre
Ph: (08) 9449 9874
• Christine Avery
Channel 7
Ph: (08) 9344 0777
Association for the Blind
Ph: (08) 9311 8202
email: braille@abwa.asn.au
Available on request.
Braille
The WA Deaf Society Inc
Ph: (08) 9443 2677
APPROXIMATE COST
$95 for 2 hours, then $23.75 each
following half hour.
(2-3 days prior notice required.)
(Both parties must be registered first,
by dialling the 1800 information
number.)
On disk/email (‘TXT’ format):
60c/page (to prepare), then 25c/page
to emboss
In scanned format:
90c/page (to prepare), then
25c/page to emboss
(2 braille pages to one A4 page.
Min. charge of $10.)
Accessible Information: Policy and guidelines for Local Governments produced by WAMA. References Disability
Services Commission’s Access Resource Kit and the City of Perth Information Policy
Page 6
November 2001