Emails
Advice and tips on how to make your emails accessible.
HTML or plain text?
To make emails accessible they should be in plain text or Rich Text format, not HTML.
Plain text or Rich Text works best with assistive technology such as screen readers. It also allows the user to decide how they want the text to be displayed (font, style, contrast and so on).
If an email is in HTML format then the procedures for creating accessible web pages should be followed, or an alternative plain text version should be offered.
Attachments
All attachments, in formats such as Word and PDFs, should also be accessible.
Formatting
When using formatting in emails; use bold instead of italics or underlining.
Don’t use colour alone to make a point e.g. "priority items in red".
Arial is a good choice of font, as it is more accessible than Times New Roman and other serif fonts.
Use at least 12 point - 14 point .
Plain English
In order to make your email as accessible as possible use clear English and avoid the use of jargon. All abbreviations should be written in full when used for the first time in each email.
Signature
It is good practice to list a contact address and phone number as well as return email address. This enables users to contact you using their preferred method, or to tell you that your email is not accessible.
Always state clearly who the email is from.
Further guidance
The Scottish Accessible Information Forum has a useful checklist for making email accessible;
Making email accessible checklist
Request an alternative format
To request this document in an alternative format, such as large print or on coloured paper, please contact Viki Galt, the Disability Information Officer.
Viki Galt
Disability Information Officer
- Information Services
Contact details
- Work: 0131 650 6645
- Email: viki.galt@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
Argyle House
Floor F West
3 Lady Lawson Street- City
- Edinburgh
- Post Code
- EH3 9SH
BSL users can contact me via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the on-line British Sign Language interpreting service. Find out more on the contactSCOTLAND website.