How to Create Accessible Schedules
Instructions
There are many different types of schedules that one can create for different types of events. If one were to plan a meeting, a good way to create a schedule would be to use a simple bullet list. A good rule of thumb, is to give the schedule a very simple format.
For bigger schedules, like for planning a summer camp, the schedules can be made in the format of a spreadsheet. Instead of bullet lists, create a simple spreadsheet with the times listed and each event happening within that time frame. These same tricks can be used for conferences, lengthy day meetings, or even vacation planning.
No matter what schedule you are creating, be sure to follow these simple rules.
Always use proper headings - the name in the top cell must always be either a title or have heading 1. The subsections must have heading 2 or 3, or be regular text.
Use a readable font. Fonts like Script, Algerian, or Jokerman, look interesting, but are hard to read for many people with disabilities. A safe font choice would be Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or Verdana.
Check for a logical reading order. Examine your schedules to be sure that no information is in the wrong place. Make sure that it is easily readable from left to right and up and down.
Make sure to have good color contrast ratios. Color can be used in creating schedules, but it must be done with Accessibility in mind. Make sure the color contrast ratio is over 7.5:1 with small text. The color contrast ration should be over 4 : 1 with bigger text or over 18 point font. Orange text on a yellow background would have a low contrast ratio. Black text on a white background would have a very high contrast ratio. Use a color combination that will have a higher contrast ratio.