Writing for visually impaired readers

[geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA]

 Heather Achtziger asked <<Does anyone out there design/
 write/develop (whatever word we're using!) documentation
 for people with severe visual impairments (blind, legally
 blind, etc.)?>>

 I don't do this work, but here are two thoughts that should
 point you in the right direction:

 1. Don't accept a generic recommendation from a textbook to
 (say) use at least 12-point text. Go out and test a few
 font samples on your real audience and find out what works
 for them. Stick with black text on a white background to
 maximize contrast, but also find out if any of your
 audience has problems with _too much_ contrast; I've read
 something about this, but the memory isn't coming clear.

 2. Don't assume that printed material is your only option.
 Provide a complimentary diskette version of the information
 so they can pop it onto their computer (if they have one)
 and change the font size to whatever suits them;
 alternatively, the fully blind are likely to have
 screenreaders that will actually read the text to them or a
 brail output device that will let them output their own
 copy. For that matter, have you considered finding out what
 proportion of your audience can read brail? If it's a big
 one, provide your information in brail. If not, what about
 an audiotape version?

 --Geoff Hart     @8^{)}     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
 Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.

 TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html