Because format quality matters.

If you're a business or organisation providing any kind of service to the public, you want to get your information to the estimated 2 million people blind and partially sighted people who don't read standard print, and to the similar numbers of people with other forms of print impairments. It makes good business sense not to exclude people from your communications.

This audience has the same right to independent access to your information as everyone else, and they form a good proportion of your current and potential customer or client base.

If the purpose of your print document is to convey a message, then its purpose is lost when the intended recipient of your message can’t access it in its standard form. Making your information available in accessible formats - such as large print, audio, braille, or electronically for example - promotes the rights and inclusivity of the individual, generates goodwill, creates understanding and awareness, and exploits a commercial opportunity to generate interest in your organisation or products.

You will want your organisation's brand and communications to reach as many people as possible to the same high quality that you demand of your print communications.

You will want to know how you can obtain materials in accessible formats - large print, audio, braille, electronic files and so on.

And you will want to know that when you have these materials created for you - whether within your organisation or by an external agency - that they are produced to a high quality standard.

UKAAF can help you by:

• Explaining how quality matters
• Giving you access to a Directory of Services
• Running the TQAS Transcription Quality Assessment Scheme for transcribers so you know who's offering a quality service
• Formats and Guidance - what guidance is available on each accessible format.
• Sharing feedback from users, transcribers and other service providers about their experiences of accessible information
• Providing advice - Customer survey for service providers and transcribers to send to their customers about accessible formats they require and what they receive (available to members only). Coming soon: guidelines for those commissioning accessible formats (available to members only). Join now

UKAAF can also help you by sharing with you what users need. Our User Advisory Group comprises end-users (blind and partially sighted people and those with other print impairments) who use and care about accessible formats, and who can take part in consultations and research to help establish user needs.

Want to join?

Find out more about benefits of membership and how to join.