Who are we?

Accessibility Services has been in operation for over 20 years. We are part of Shaw Trust, the UKs largest non-for-profit social enterprise within the employment sector. Our team has a wealth of knowledge, skills and lived experiences within the accessibility sector and we all have a passion and drive to ensure inclusivity is not just a phrase but become reality. And here at Accessibility Services we help organisations from small independent business to large internal organisations along with local authorities made this reality within the digital world.

What do we do?

We work with organisations, looking at their digital platforms whether that be mobile applications or websites and assess their platform to determine if it is accessible or not. We then formulate a fully comprehensive assessment report that identifies where alternations are required to become accessible. A key part we play is educating others in accessibility and this is offered through tailored training and consultancy to support organisations expand its knowledge and capabilities with digital accessibility.

Why do we do it?

In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability – this could be visual, hearing, motor (affecting fine movement) or cognitive (affecting memory and thinking). The concept of accessibility does not just apply to disabled people – all users will have different needs at different times and in different circumstances.

The TOP 5 TIPS YOU CAN TAKE AWAY TO PUT INTO PRACTICE

Sending an email

  1. Choose a readable font and use a minimum of 16 px.
  2. Avoid using colour to convey meaning.
  3. Avoid the use of emojis.
  4. Use good colour contrast between your text and background.
  5. Ensure any images are given an alternative

Using PowerPoint

  1. All slides should have a unique, meaningful slide title.
  2. Add alt text to all images.
  3. Use informative link titles and avoid just using the URL .
  4. If possible, provide the graph data in a table.
  5. Use the list buttons to create lists.

Using Chat messaging

  1. If using emojis, make sure these translate to screen reader users as intended.
  2. Choose a readable font and use a minimum of 16 px
  3. If Alt text cannot be provided, then make sure any images used are described.
  4. Ensure any videos shared provide captions or audio description.
  5. Take advantage of the accessibility features in

Virtual Meetings

  1. Ensure your camera is switched on.
  2. Spotlight a sign language interpreter’s video so that participants with a hearing disability can easily access and focus on the interpreter’s video.
  3. Turn on transcriptions and captions.
  4. Avoid distractions.
  5. Live captions can be used in Microsoft Teams

Competition Time! Support us on social media

Re-post the below image on your X (Formally knows as Twitter) and LinkedIn, tag us in it (https://x.com/ShawTrusta11y and https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibilityservices/).

Send evidence of how many likes or shares you had on 30th June 2024 to Craig.Whiting@shaw-trust.org.uk for a chance to win a £25 Amazon voucher!

Deadline for entry Friday 5th July 2024.

An image of an instagram post. It reads, accessibility services powered by shaw trust. Supporting a digital world that's accessible for all. There are two photographs, a blind man wearing headphones sitting at a desk reading braille and a woman in a wheelchair sitting at a desk waving at a laptop.
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