The Rise of Alternate Formats, A 2024 Retrospective and 2025 Outlook

2024 marked a significant year for document accessibility in the implementation of alternate formats. As accessibility awareness continues to grow, there’s an increasing demand for documents in formats that cater to diverse needs. Large print, in particular, has emerged as a crucial format for individuals with visual impairments. With aging populations and increasing screen time, the need for easy-to-read, large-print documents has become more evident.

What Are Alternate Formats?

Alternate formats are different versions of a document designed to make information accessible to people with disabilities. These formats help individuals with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments to access and understand content.

Common Alternate Formats

Large Print. This involves enlarging the font size of a document to make it easier to read for people with low vision.
Braille, a tactile writing system, uses raised dots to represent letters and numbers, enabling blind individuals to read.
Audio formats, such as MP3, provide spoken versions of written content, benefiting individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties.
Accessible PDF. A PDF document that has been created or modified to be usable with assistive technologies such as screen readers. It includes features like tagged text, alternative text for images, and logical reading order.
Accessible HTML. This is code that adheres to accessibility standards, making web content accessible to assistive technologies used by people with disabilities.

In addition to large print, alternate formats such as braille, audio, accessible PDF, accessible HTML, and even various languages are gaining traction. These formats are essential for individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive impairments, and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). By providing these alternate formats, organizations can ensure that their information is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities and preferences.

Organizations that fail to embrace alternate formats risk alienating a significant portion of their customer base. By offering accessible documents, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and enhance their reputation. In 2025, we anticipate an even greater emphasis on alternate formats. Organizations that proactively adopt these formats will not only comply with accessibility regulations but also gain a competitive edge.

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Author

Ligia Mora
Sr. Product Manager
As a Senior Product Manager at Crawford Technologies, Ligia Mora brings over 25 years of software industry expertise to the table. She is a skilled strategist and visionary who is dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions that cater to customers' unique needs. Ligia has conducted presentations and technical training across different continents and has been specializing in Document Accessibility for the past 5 years. Her focus is on collaborating with customers, sales, and engineering teams to develop new products and features that improve workflows and customer communication. Ligia's deep industry knowledge and commitment to customer satisfaction make her an essential asset to the Crawford Technologies team.