Editors NSW

Editing for accessibility

Disability Disability groups estimate that less than 10 per cent of publications worldwide are accessible to people with a print disability, leading to what the World Blind Union describes as a global ‘book famine’.

How can editors and writers help address this problem?

The November presentation will discuss:

• what is meant by the term ‘print disability’, and some of the ways in which readers with a print disability can access and experience print materials

• the challenges faced by disability support organisations such as the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children and its Alternative Format Publications unit

• the work being done by the Australian Inclusive Publishing Initiative (AIPI) to encourage and support the creation of books that are ‘inclusive by design’

• the role of authors and editors in this process, including checking that content is appropriate (‘perceivable’) and using elements such as cross-references, illustrative material and alternative text in a way that is meaningful to all readers, irrespective of how they access the text.

Presenter:

Julie Ganner AE is a freelance editor with over 30 years’ experience in the publishing industry. She is IPEd’s representative to the Australian Inclusive Publishing Initiative, a cross-industry forum on print accessibility. Julie is co-author of Inclusive publishing in Australia: an introductory guide, which is available for free download from the AIPI website.

Venue: Level 1, Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts at 280 Pitt Street, City

Cost: $25 members; $35 non members; $15 concession

Drinks and light supper provided

Bookings: Book your place at the November meeting

And you can find all meetings and workshop details listed under the Events tab at the top of the home page.

Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts is an accessible building with ambulant bathrooms.