SCULPT for Accessibility

Accessible information is vital

This Channel 4 news story highlights concerns that there are many people currently struggling to get information and guidance during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is because the information has not been presented or delivered in an accessible way.

SCULPT can help with accessibility for those creating any documents for people in the community, learners or clients.

What is accessibility?

Making information accessible means making sure it can be used by as many people as possible.

This can be because of anything, such as:

• impaired vision
• motor difficulties
• cognitive impairments or learning disabilities
• deafness or impaired hearing

At least 1 in 5 people in the UK have a long term illness, impairment or disability. Many more have a temporary disability.

Some of these people might be relying on screen readers, assistive technology to tab through information and others might just need clearly laid out and simply worded information.

GOV.UK offers information to understand accessibility requirements (opens in a new window).

What is SCULPT?

SCULPT is guidance to help you create documents that meet basic accessibility requirements.

It has six basics to get you started for creating documents and information online, but further information about accessibility standards can be found at GOV.UK Making your service accessible: an introduction (opens in a new window).

The six basics of SCULPT are principles relevant to web page and document creation.

SCULPT stands for

• Structure (use headings and styles)
• Colour and contrast
• Use of images
• Links (hyperlinks)
• Plain English
• Table structure

The SCULPT logo and infographic poster are designed to give accessibility an identity and an easy way for people to recognise and remember the basics and the acronym of how to SCULPT content for accessibility.