In the Balance : Making Financial Information Accessible

Evaluation of financial document design formed the central part of a recent research project by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The study, entitled The Presentation of Financial Information for Visually Impaired People, investigated financial information design in four alternative formats: large print; Braille; audio cassette; and computer disk. The results have raised some interesting implications for designers of financial documentation. Several design feature preferences were drawn from the research which are being recommended as general guidelines for financial information design. These results are outlined within a discussion of the importance of this type of research not only for visually impaired people themselves but also for financial institutions as a result of impending legal requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). Future research on this topic by the RNIB is discussed, as are some thoughts on incorporating creativity with accessible design.