Enthusiasm for sport is often mentioned as a very “Australian thing”. Television news, social media and online newspapers rarely go a day without mentioning one sport or another. But is this information provided in ways that everyone can enjoy and understand? Sierra Morabito wants to see equal access to sport information – there are people who would like to read about it but can’t.
Equal access to sport information means people need easy to read information on:
- the rules to play sport
- where they can play and join up
- other ways to get involved
- when and where to watch a game
- stories about players
- news about the favourite team
The examples above show how easy it is to leave people out without realising. Information about sport is not just reading stories – low literacy prevents participation. If people need to use a website their literacy skills are challenged even further.
Morabito’s advice is to provide hard copy information in Easy English and leave them in places where people go. Shopping centres, council buildings, and community centres are just three ideas. A contact phone number is essential – so much easier than emails.
Understanding sport rules
People with low literacy will worry about learning the rules if they cannot read them. Write the key points in Easy English – everyone likes a straightforward version. There is more on this topic in Morabito’s article.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
People who can’t use the internet or complex digital tools are being left behind. This issue is often mentioned in our increasingly digital world, but is anyone taking notice? Everyone has the right to equal access to information and resources. However, this means providing information in different formats. According to Cathy Basterfield, we are talking about nearly two thirds of all Australian adults.
Information needs to be provided in different formats to suit different skill levels. It means designing for users who can’t:
- navigate two-factor authentication
- understand how to use a one-time access code
- read a letter or an email
And it also means making websites that work for all users – that is, those who can use it. More than 95% of high ranked websites don’t meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – the global standard for people with disability. And that’s just their home page.
A website is not accessible if a user has to click through six levels to find the information they need. Or if they have to navigate an intricate system, and deal with things that flash, blink or scroll. Add to that the people with low literacy skills and the number of excluded people starts to add up.
See the article in Medium titled, Global Accessibility Awareness day. for more information on this topic.
