Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What and who is the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities?
The Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc has a broad membership of education, government, business, community and disability organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand. It is an association comprising of organisations involved in the production, distribution and use of alternate format materials such as Braille, audio, large print and electronic text.
Who can be members of the Round Table?
Members are drawn from Federal and State Government departments, direct service providers, production organisations, tertiary institutions, libraries, through to volunteer based community groups. Other organisations may be admitted to membership where the Round Table believes it would be appropriate to do so.
What benefits do I get from being a member of Round Table?
The Round Table seeks to assist its members by:
- Fostering a spirit of cooperation and resource sharing among members
- Setting standards and improving the range and accessibility of materials produced
- Providing for consultation and/or action on matters of common concern
- Representing the collective views of of members to appropriate bodies
- Fostering consumer consultation
Round Table's strength is the diversity of knowledge and experience in the production and use of alternate format materials embodied in its members. Round Table members can draw on this in-depth experience to assist them in the production and use of alternate formats, as well as to represent perspectives on the accessibility of material. Members are encouraged to network and share their experience to improve the quality and further availability of alternate format materials.
What are the Round Table Standards?
The Round Table has produced a number of guidelines and standards on the preparation and production of materials in various alternate formats. These guidelines should be used by anyone producing alternate formats to ensure quality and useability for those for whom the material is intended. The guidelines are available for a small charge.
How often does the Round Table on Information Access with Print Disabilities meet?
The main forum for Round Table members is the annual Conference. The three and a half day Conference Program includes the plenary meeting of the Australian Braille Authority, a sub committee of the Round Table, on the first day. The second and third days consist of the Conference proper and the final half day consists of the Round Table Annual General Meeting.
The Conference Program is designed to bring members up to date with new developments in all aspects of accessible material from Australia and overseas. A number of practical workshops are provided for practitioners and networking opportunities are provided with the Conference Dinner.
For papers from past Conferences and information about this year's Conference go to the Conference link.
How can I get involved?
You can get involved with the Round Table by:
- presenting papers at Conferences
- participating in workshops
- being a part of the Executive Committee and Working Parties
- being a 'Product Champion'
- attending the Conferences
Is the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities an advocacy group?
No, it is not a formal advocacy group. The Mission of the Round Table is: "To facilitate and influence the production and use of quality alternative formats for people with print disabilities by optimizing the evolving Round Table body of knowledge."
However, the Round Table is involved, through working group participation, in lobbying for adherence to standards in the production of accessible materials and in furthering the availability of these materials for people with a print disability.
What is the definition of a Print disability?
People with a print disability are those who cannot obtain access to information in a print format because they:
- are blind or vision impaired
- have physical disabilities which limit their ability to hold or manipulate information in a printed form
- have perceptual or other disabilities which limit their ability to follow a line of print or which affect their concentration
- cannot comprehend information in a print format due to insufficient literacy or language skills