Top Access Tips to Pictures and Illustrations

Pictures

1.  Size of graphic

• Present clear, well contrasting, simple large graphics.
• Remove detail and visual clutter from graphic.
• Add black outlines to shapes and main key features.
• Remove complex colouring.
• Use colours which provide good contrast.

2.  Captions

• Present captions for images in a consistent way throughout the document so that the child knows where to find them.
• Avoid overlaying text on a picture.
• Present text in child’s preferred print, typeface (font) and typestyle (bold, plain format).

Illustrations

• Present as line drawings, with thick black outlines.
• Remove unnecessary clutter.
• Make small details larger.
• Remove complex colouring.
• Use colours which provide good contrast.

Photographs

• Only use if simple and not too detailed.
• Make sure the important part of the image is displayed clearly
• Add black outlines to key features.
• Contrast of the photograph needs to be sharp and clear
• Provide written description of photograph to support understanding of key features.

Advice Point

• At Primary/Secondary level, consider the additional value the picture/photograph/image adds.
• Adapting pictures is time consuming and often used only briefly.
• Equally, accessing graphical information can further add to the child’s visual fatigue.

General guidance: Think about only adapting if the graphic adds or explains something over and above that which is contained in the text.

For further Top Access Tips Sheets visit  https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/

Email: gwyn@positiveeye.co.uk