There are some brilliant accessibility resources and training out there to help you make content user friendly for all, here are a few, we do our best to keep this content up to date but if you spot any content that is out of date or broken links please let us know using the form at the bottom of the page.
- Accessibility Fundamentals Overview | Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) | W3C
- Accessibility Resources & Training | Microsoft Accessibility
- Making your service accessible: an introduction – Service Manual – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Website Accessibility Checker – Free Instant Accessibility Check (siteimprove.com)
- Your 8 step plan to accessible and inclusive websites | Text help
Accessibility community in Birmingham City Council (for employees only)
It is also important to have an accessibility community where you can ask accessibility questions:
Accessibility community – Service Manual – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
We have a number of support/social groups across the council for people with various accessibility needs mainly found on the council Yammer platform, but through the Digital Community of Practice we are trying to build an accessibility community, which is people who can contribute to user research, web content reviews and help sense check how well our organisation is doing at accommodating needs within the organisation and the councils wider community.
We do already have an accessibility information service with in Birmingham city council as well they can be found on Yammer and Teams.
Request access/ go to the Birmingham Accessible Information Service (You must be a BCC employee and have Teams and may need to be logged into Office 365 to access this information.)
Or see posts from the Accessible information service Yammer – Accessible Information Service this is for Birmingham City Council employees only.
You will also find content on making content accessible on the Birmingham City Council intranet. Birmingham City Council Intranet guide to accessible documents (This content will only be accessible to BCC employees using the council network)
Advice and guidance to help make documents accessible and when to use HTML or a PDF
HTML or PDF – which is better for accessibility? | Dania Software
How to make a document more accessible: How to publish on GOV.UK – Document accessibility – Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Appropriate language when referring to accessibility needs or disability.
When writing communications it is ideal to use appropriate language when referring to people with accessibility needs or disability. It can be hard to keep up to date with appropriate language referring to disabilities and if speaking directly with someone with a disability or accessibility need it is best to ask what their preference is but here is the current government guidance on appropriate language to use.