Introducing Easy Read Issue 6!

Since we launched Issue 6 at the beginning of the month, you may have heard us mention the easy read version, and while we've talked about it here and there, we thought it would be a good idea to write this post to tell you exactly what it is and how you get it!

We’ve created this new version of Issue 6 specifically for our non and partially sighted members of the community. We've been working closely with a fantastic accessibility expert, Renee Van Hoy, to transform Issue 6 (and Issue 5!) into a format that is accessible for our community members with vision impairment or low vision.

So how does Easy Read differ from the print & digital versions?

1. Each pattern has been reworked to integrate all the written directions into the instructions, so there are no charts.
2. The font has been changed and the size increased to make it clearer.
3. All photos include descriptive and alt text.
4. Easy Read Issue is also screen reader compatible and has been tested with all the major software available.
5. There are very few abbreviations in the patterns, so when using with a screen reader the instructions will be read clearly.

How to purchase Easy Read?

If you didn't already know, we have an Easy Read version of Issue 5 & Issue 6, and both are in digital format. You get access to the easy read versions when you purchase either the print or digital of either Issue 5 or 6. For example, if you purchase Issue 6 in print, you get the print version plus the digital version and the Easy read version. If you purchase Issue 6 in digital, you get the digital version and the Easy read version.

How do you access Easy Read?

How you receive your copy of Easy Read depends on where you purchase your copy of our magazine. If you purchase a digital version from Ravelry, the easy read version will automatically be included in your download. If you purchase either the digital or print version from our website, the easy read version will be automatically emailed to you using the email address you use to make your purchase. In that email, you will find a link to a dropbox folder that contains all the files for the easy read version.

Why does Easy Read have so many files?

As each of the patterns have been expanded to include all written instructions and eliminate the charts, they are much longer than in the original publication. With the addition of the enlarged font, it created a long document that felt a little clumsy to work with. To make it easier to navigate, we have split it up into sections. When you download the easy-read version, you will find the main file titled ‘Start Here’ that includes all the editorial content such as the letter for the editor, all articles and artwork, plus an introduction to all the patterns. Alongside this file, we have separated each pattern into its own file. This way, when you want to knit a particular pattern, you can work just from that pattern file, and not have to go back and forth through one long document. If you need any help at all navigating the easy read version after downloading, please do send us an email and we'll be happy to help! 

So that's all our information on Easy Read Issues 5 & 6! This is still really new territory for us, so we'd appreciate any help to spread the word. If you know anyone who you think may be interested in the easy version of our magazine, please do point them to this post, and if you have any questions at all, please let us know in the comments below!