Over the last couple of years, I’ve been a mentor for Ireland’s National Academy for Animation. As part of this mentorship, I also host a Writing For Animation workshop for new writers. And for the first time ever (well, for me), I hosted a workshop for blind and visually impaired writers.
Initially, I was wary (perhaps a bit intimidated if I’m honest) of whether I could design the workshop around the blind/VI attendees’ needs. However, after some great advice from Dee Roycroft, I realised I could essentially host the workshop as I normally would, but with some extra considerations in place. Some of Dee’s top tips right here:
· Send any materials that will be screen shared in advance so people can read them.
· ALWAYS use Word or equivalent, not PDF. (PDF is the equivalent of a photo, so screenreaders will not read it.)
· If screensharing you will have to read out whatever you’re sharing as screenreaders won’t pick it up.
· When writing use large sans serif font (Arial etc.). Do not use italics.
· Keep sentences short and concise.
· Avoid special characters. Use bold and lists if needed.
· Writers will happily tell you what works best for them if you ask. They are excellent communicators if given the space.
· Encourage them to train you in as much as you are training with them.
This is just a handful of the great advice I got from Dee. The latter two tips, above, really chimed with me as I got deeper into the chats with the attendees. They were passionate, engaged, and full of interesting insights of their own on what writing for a visual medium can entail.
As ever, you teach best what you most need to learn. The mentor/mentee dynamic usually begins to quickly work both ways, with everyone learning something from the other. Thanks to Dee again for the advice, and Martina Keane at the National Academy for Animation for her support.
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