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Flyer Accessibility 

Flyers are used to share important information about events, services, and updates. However, inaccessible designs can create barriers. Making flyers accessible allows everyone to engage with your content.

Text and Fonts

  • Use sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Helvetica, Calibri) for better readability. 
  • Avoid decorative fonts that are hard to read.
  • Use font sizes that are large enough for easy reading.
  • Use live (selectable) text rather than text within images.

Color and Color Contrast

  • Use high color contrast between text and background.
  • Avoid using color alone to communicate information or meaning.

Alternative Text for Images

  • Provide meaningful alternative text that describes the image’s purpose.
  • Mark images as decorative only if they do not convey essential information.

Content Layout and Structure

  • Organize information with clear headings and bullet points.
  • Keep layouts simple with sufficient whitespace for easy reading.
  • Provide a brief text summary with key details (who, what, when, where) and include this text directly in the post or caption.

Links

  • Use meaningful link text (e.g. “Register for the Workshop” instead of “Click Here”).
  • Include a QR code or shortened URL on print flyers for quick digital access.
  • Provide a link to more information about the content of your flyer (e.g. RSVP link) within your post or nearby.
    • On platforms where links cannot be added to posts (e.g., Instagram), include the link in your bio and mention it in the caption.

Design Flyers for Specific Platforms

  • Create flyers that are designed to look clear and readable based on where they will be viewed:
    • Social Media: Use dimensions that fit social media platforms to avoid cropping or pixelation. Prioritize clear text and visuals that are easy to read on mobile devices.
    • Digital/Desktop: Design flyers with dimensions that display clearly on screens without excessive scrolling. Keep the layout simple and uncluttered to ensure the flyer is clear and easy to read.

Provide Flyer Content in Multiple Formats

Avoid relying solely on flyers, as they may not reach all audiences and may require remediation. Offer information in multiple formats for accessibility:

  • Event Calendar Entry: List key event details (title, description, date, time, location, and registration link) in a text-based format within your organization’s event calendar.
  • Dedicated Event Webpage: Create a webpage with all flyer content in plain text. If a flyer image is included, present all information on the page.
  • Plain Text Version: Provide a text version in the body of an email, event listing, or separate accessible document.

Canva and Flyer Accessibility

Canva is a popular design tool; however, it does not automatically create fully accessible PDFs. Flyers created in Canva should be reviewed for accessibility.

Best Practices for Canva Flyers:

  • Choose templates with strong contrast, readable fonts, and clear layouts.
  • Do not rely solely on Canva’s built-in accessibility features– always check accessibility with a PDF accessibility tool (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, Equidox) and manually review using assistive technology.
  • When exporting, avoid the “Flatten PDF” option to keep text selectable and maintain accessibility tags.

Vendor Resources:

Additional Resources