Good practises when communicating with Disabled and neurodiverse people Communication Checklist Written communication Is text colour contrasted with background? Is typeface sans serif? Is text large enough for most people to see (Are community languages in large print)? Is layout clear and easy to follow – avoiding columns and box inserts – (although some people with dyslexia prefer columns)? Do the graphics help to explain what it is about? Is the title/subject easy to gauge/understand? Is there an audio tape version? Is there a signed video version? Is there a large print version? Is it in the present tense? Are there any unnecessary adverbs or adjectives? Are there any acronyms, are they explained? Is there any jargon/in-house language which could be avoided? Is there a named or titled person to contact, and a variety of ways to contact them? Verbal Communication Are you aware of how and where to get a sign language interpreter? Ensure you look at people when talking to them Try speaking as clearly as possible Keep your hands away from your lips when speaking Ensure you are easy to understand (Plain English) Explain things until person understands Offer to help Being friendly aids communication If a person has a problem, can you offer alternatives? Signage Is it easy to notice? Is signage logically placed and used? Is signage unified? Do the signs make sense to a stranger? Have you considered the height, typeface and use of pictures? Have you also considered colour contrasting, colour coding, tactile/Braille information? Good Practice in Communicating with Disabled People The following information is a guide to issues which affect different groups of people with impairments in terms of communication. It is important to remember each individual has their own needs and strategies – ask them what their particular needs or issues are where possible. Who have visual impairments Prior to a meeting the organiser should clarify with the individual their access requirements are and ascertain whether they will be escorted to the meeting or be accompanied by a guide dog. Letters and information to support a meeting should be available in an appropriate form, depending upon the individual's preferred communication mode (i.e. Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.). People with little or no vision are likely to require information in non-visual formats – remember, do not assume, ask – this could range from audio tape, Braille or computer disk (e.g. people using screen readers). Decreasing numbers of people are using Braille these days, however, there are still some visually impaired people who prefer this format and find it easier to use. At reception the individual should be met and escorted to the meeting room as required. Be hazard aware. If asked to guide a blind person to a destination, take the person's arm above the elbow, describe the route to be taken and detail any potential hazards, e.g., steps, corners and doorways. They may need to be guided to a suitable chair. Lighting levels need to be discussed with the individual and seating should be arranged with daylight behind the individual. Contrasting colours are helpful for those with low vision. Introductions should be made in a way that ensures that the individual is able to put a voice to a name. Verbal indications are necessary if any of the participants leaves or re-enters the room, or if joined by a third-party. A guide dog is highly disciplined and should not be distracted or petted when working. Only approach a guide dog with the owner's permission. Face-to-face Communication: ensure the person is aware of your presence, when you are talking directly to them, handing them over to another person, or you are leaving them. when reading to a person who is visually impaired, make sure they know when you have stopped reading and have begun talking to them. Similarly, denote any difference between formal and informal conversations. The environment can be as disabling to some people with visual impairments as it is for deaf people. Light, reasonably quiet settings could assist communication. Who have physical impairments Ascertain the degree of personal independence of the individual in advance, for example, will they: need special parking arrangements walk unaided manage steps or stairs require specialist seating use and require access for a wheelchair benefit from a meeting room on the ground floor with proximity to an accessible toilet. Some individuals with physical impairments may have communication aids, or use speech that may be difficult to follow, or attend the meeting in a wheelchair and/or come with a personal assistant. Be prepared for these eventualities. Enquire about the best format for organising the face-to-face aspects of the meeting, taking into account the role of the communication aid, the position of the wheelchair and the presence of the personal assistant. Speak clearly and naturally to avoid exaggerated, slow or loud Settings > Setup > Turn on Closed Captions Facebook Turn on Closed Captions for Facebook Live broadcasts and Live Streaming- Instructions here Big Blue Button Big Blue Button: closed captions are available via a browser. However, be aware that CCs aren’t available if accessing a BBB meeting on a phone. BBB FAQ Windows 11 Windows 11 live captions can now provide translations and convert any audio that passes through your PC into a single English-language caption experience. Live captions allows you to read captions while working in other apps, even when disconnected from the internet. Importantly, all processing of audio and generation of captions from detected voice data occurs on-device so that audio, voice data, and captions never leave your device and are not shared to the cloud or with Microsoft. For more detailed information, please visit this Microsoft help page.