Ensure accessibility

Methods

General accessibility

• One-Three-Twenty Five (1:3:25) Principle

  The 1:3:25 Principle is an evaluation report format with a one page outline of the main messages, a three page executive summary, and 25 pages that present the evaluation findings and methodology.

• Plain language

  Plain English is a clear and concise writing style that ensures accessibility to the information for all stakeholders.

• Chartjunk elimination

  Often the default settings in graphing programs include too much extraneous graphic detail that can confuse readers and cause them to stop engaging with the report.

• Descriptive chart titles

  Descriptive subtitles in a chart can highlight the key takeaway points for the reader.

  This is particularly important when graphs must stand alone, without the assistance of the evaluation to help interpret them.

• Emphasis techniques

  A key to creating effective and accessible reporting documents is using effective techniques to emphasise important information.

  These techniques can involve the use of colour, text size and font, layout, alignment, and graphics and images.

• Headings as summary statements

  Headings are extremely important to the readability of reports and documents.

Specific accessibility barriers

• Colour blindness

  People who are affected by colour blindness are unable to distinguish between different hues of certain colours.

• Visual accessibility

  There are a number of ways that documents can be made more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.