1. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Sarah Smith Project Development Officer

2. Equality is the result of human organization. We are not born equal. Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it. Margaret Fuller (1810-1850)

3. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) What is SAIF? A national project set up as a result of the Enabling Information report (1995). Funded by the Scottish Executive.

4. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Who are we? An Advisory Body of 21 members drawn from disability-led organisations and information providers. More than half our members are disabled people and/or carers themselves.

5. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) What does SAIF do? SAIFs remit is to improve the provision and accessibility of information to disabled people and carers in Scotland.

6. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) What does SAIF do? Produces guidelines and offers advice on good practice; Works with local and national organisations on a range of initiatives; Promotes accessible information and alternative formats.

7. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Produce all information in plain language and a minimum type size of 12 point (preferably 14 point!)

8. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Use a clear, easily recognisable, sans serif font. Use a matt paper of contrasting colour. Justify type on the left. Dont print sentences in block capitals.

9. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible On request, provide information in alternative formats such as large print, audio tape, Braille, and an easy-to- understand version.

10. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Use interpreters for people who need to communicate in a sign language or other community language.

11. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Design and develop your web site in a way which makes it accessible for disabled people.

12. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Provide your service in a flexible way, where appropriate using home visits, telephones, the internet or different opening hours.

13. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Ensure that your premises are fully accessible to people who have mobility or sensory impairments.

14. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Provide publicity materials which tell disabled people what you can or cannot do.

15. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Have good working relationships with other appropriate service providers and suitable referral arrangements.

16. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Provide your staff with disability equality training. A key barrier for disabled people is negative attitudes towards them.

17. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Get regular and organised feedback from disabled people about the accessibility of your service.

18. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) Making Information Accessible Involve disabled people in service planning and training delivery.

19. The Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF) c/o Scottish Consumer Council 100 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DN Tel 0141 226 5261 Fax 0141 221 0731 Text 0141 226 8459 Email ssmith@saifscotland.org.ukssmith@saifscotland.org.uk Web www.saifscotland.org.ukwww.saifscotland.org.uk