3. Priority Area: Communication (including Information Communication Technology (ICT))

Communication barriers exist because not all people read or understand in the same way. For instance, some information or communication barriers are:

• Audio-only fire alarms
• Lack of large print and Braille on elevators, signs, or room numbers
• Live events or public meetings without captions or Sign language interpretation
• Forms, pamphlets, or menus offered only in standard-sized print
• Telephone-only contact information
• PDF documents made from images instead of text
• No audio-visual announcements on public transit
• Websites that do not comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA

Information or communication barriers happen when organizations offer information in only one way. This type of barrier most often affects people with sensory or print disabilities. For instance, these barriers impact people who are:

• Blind
• Visually impaired
• Deaf
• Hard of hearing
• Deafblind

In addition, these barriers also impact people who have:

• Learning disabilities that affect how they process writing
• Physical disabilities that prevent them from holding or turning pages.[1]