Obtaining information
Since 2005, legislation has obliged public organisations in Ireland to provide accessible documents to people with vision impairments. NCBI’s Media Centre has assisted in the conversion of print matter into accessible formats. A mailing list has been established which enables service users to receive Government public information (such as Referendums) in the format that the client wishes; i.e. Braille, audio or Large Print. This database of names, addresses and format is held and maintained by the Library. The majority of clients that are registered on this database to receive Government publications in accessible formats are 65+ years old. Although the legislation covers public bodies, it doesn’t cover private organisations. It would be recommended that private companies or consultants that undertake work for Government departments be obliged to provide accessible material upon request.
In addition to sending information in preferred formats to people who are blind or vision impaired, all publications, documents, leaflets and forms, produced by public bodies should be produced using clear print design principles to ensure that they are accessible to older people. Clear Print is a design approach for written documents which makes a document easier to read for everyone, including people with low vision. For more information on Clear Print visit www.ncbi.ie/services/services-for-organisations/making-written-documents-accessible-to-all. NCBI has found that producing documents using clear print reduces the number of requests for alternative formats such as Braille and audio and also makes a document more accessible to all older people, not just people with low vision.
Individuals seeking information about Government benefits and entitlements should be provided with a full list of payments that they may be entitled to; based on their situation or their disability.
In Donegal, a pilot physical and sensory disability advocacy service was launched in 2007, funded by the Citizens Information Board. As this scheme came under Physical and Sensory Disability Services funding, the service was only available to people under the age of 65.