Wonder Works has been at the forefront of Accessible Design for nearly 20 years.

Many public bodies are now subject to monitoring and testing by the National Disability Authority of Ireland to ensure that their design outputs meet new accessible design standards.

Under the EU Web Accessibility Directive public bodies must improve the accessibility of their design outputs.

Knowing how to do this can be daunting, but don’t worry, Wonder Works can help you create accessible documents that meet the requirements and help you communicate with the widest possible audience, all while maintaining your organisation’s brand identity.

Wonder Works has been a trusted design partner to the public sector for decades. Please get in touch with us to chat about you accessibility and design needs and we would be delighted to help in any way we can.

Recently there has been increased auditing for accessible design standards for Public Sector communications – which provides new challenges.

20 years’ of experience

Our clients enjoy the peace of mind that our 20 years’ of experience brings.

We believe in communicating, not to cater specific ‘disabilities’, rather we know that good design principles allow us to communicate with the widest possible audience. This is often called ‘Universal design’ or what we call ‘Inclusive Design’ and it is the gold standard for all Public Sector communications.

More about regulations and guidelines

The requirements outlined below are contained within the following context

In Ireland, the accessibility requirements for design are primarily governed by the building regulations and the Disability Act 2005. These regulations aim to ensure that buildings and services are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. Here are some key aspects of accessibility requirements for design in Ireland:

Plain Language:

Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand.
Avoid jargon, technical terms, and complex language.
Organize information in a logical and structured manner.

Readability and Formatting:

Choose fonts that are legible and easy to read, with appropriate sizes and spacing.
Ensure sufficient contrast between the text and background to aid readability.
Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up content and improve comprehension.
Provide adequate margins and white space for clarity.

Alternative Formats:

Consider providing communications materials in alternative formats, such as Braille, large print, or audio recordings, to accommodate different needs.
Provide accessible electronic formats, such as HTML or accessible PDFs, that can be read by screen readers.

Visual Content:

Include alternative text (alt text) descriptions for images, graphs, and other visual elements to make them accessible to individuals using screen readers or who have visual impairments.
Ensure that color is not the sole means of conveying important information. Use other visual cues or text labels as necessary.

Audio and Video Content:

Provide captions or transcripts for audio and video content to assist individuals with hearing impairments.
Ensure that audio content is clear and understandable.

Accessibility Statements:

Include accessibility statements on websites or in communications materials, indicating that efforts have been made to ensure accessibility and providing contact information for individuals who may require additional assistance.