Alternative Format Services

Braille transcription and large print production for Deaf-Blind, blind, and low-vision individuals — from a single source document, with turnaround times designed for the settings that can’t wait.

Call 888-254-9440

If it can't be read, it isn't accessible.

A document that exists only in standard print or digital format is inaccessible to blind individuals, many DeafBlind individuals, and people with low vision who require larger text to read independently. In legal proceedings, educational settings, healthcare appointments, and government interactions, that inaccessibility is not a technical inconvenience — it is a compliance failure and a barrier to the rights of the people your organization serves.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, Section 508, and California law require that organizations provide effective communication access across modalities. For individuals who read Braille or require large print, that means producing documents in the format they can actually use — not offering a standard print version and calling it compliance.

AccessBridge produces Braille and large print materials from your existing source documents, in the formats and specifications your clients require, with the documentation your organization needs to demonstrate compliance.

What we produce

Braille Services

Braille Transcription and Production Braille is a tactile writing system used by blind and DeafBlind individuals. AccessBridge produces Braille documents in both contracted and uncontracted formats, with output as embossed hard-copy documents or electronic Braille files depending on your client’s needs and equipment.

Grade 1 Braille (Uncontracted) A direct letter-by-letter transcription of the source text. Used for individuals newer to Braille, short-form documents, and settings where exact character reproduction is required — including legal documents where contraction ambiguity could affect meaning.

Grade 2 Braille (Contracted) Uses a standardized system of contractions and abbreviations that reduces document length and improves reading speed. The standard format for most educational, organizational, and general-use materials.

Output formats: Embossed hard copy — printed on Braille paper and delivered by mail or courier Electronic Braille file (BRF) — for use with refreshable Braille displays and Braille notetakers

Note for the dedicated Braille user: if your client uses a specific Braille display or notetaker, confirm the file format compatibility before ordering. We accommodate standard BRF and can advise on format requirements for common devices.

Large Print Services

Large Print Production Large print documents serve individuals with low vision who can read printed text at increased sizes — including many individuals who are partially sighted, have age-related macular degeneration, or have other conditions affecting visual acuity. Large print is the preferred format for many individuals who do not read Braille.

AccessBridge produces large print documents at client-specified sizes, with the standard minimum being 18pt font. We preserve the original document’s layout, formatting, and structure — tables, headers, numbered lists, and signature blocks are reproduced accurately rather than reflowed into undifferentiated body text.

Standard specifications:

Minimum font size: 18pt (larger available on request — 20pt, 24pt, and above)
Font: High-contrast, sans-serif (Arial or equivalent) unless otherwise specified
Spacing: Increased line spacing for readability
Paper size: Standard 8.5×11″ or 11×17″ for wider formatted documents
Color: High-contrast black on white as default; reversed contrast available on request

Custom specifications available for organizations with established large print style guides or clients with specific visual requirements.

Braille and large print from a single source document

Organizations frequently need to provide the same document in multiple accessible formats simultaneously — a legal notice to a client who uses Braille and a support worker who requires large print, for example, or an IEP document set for a DeafBlind student and their low-vision parent.

AccessBridge accepts a single source document and produces both Braille and large print versions in the same order, reducing turnaround time and eliminating the coordination overhead of managing separate vendors.

Compliance contexts where alternative formats are required

Alternative format production is not optional in the following contexts — it is a documented legal obligation:

ADA Title II and III Government entities and places of public accommodation must provide effective communication access for individuals with disabilities. For blind or low-vision individuals, this means providing requested documents in an accessible format — including Braille or large print — at no cost to the individual.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Organizations receiving federal funding — including school districts, universities, and federally funded nonprofits — must ensure program access for individuals with disabilities. Document inaccessibility is a Section 504 violation.

Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act Federal agencies and organizations developing or procuring technology and information for federal use must ensure accessibility. Electronic documents provided to individuals who use Braille displays must be compatible with those devices.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) IEPs and related evaluation documents must be provided in a format accessible to parents and guardians. For families with visual impairments, this means Braille or large print on request.

California Government Code and Education Code California imposes additional accessibility obligations on state and local government entities and public schools. Organizations operating under state contracts or grants carry corresponding compliance responsibilities.

AccessBridge provides documentation of format specifications and production on request to support your organization’s compliance recordkeeping.

Documents we produce in alternative formats

IEPs, IFSPs, and evaluation reports
School records and progress reports
Medical records and discharge instructions
Informed consent documents
Legal pleadings, motions, and case materials
Deposition notices and witness materials
Prescription and medication instructions
Government and agency notices

Organizational handbooks and policies
Meeting agendas and minutes
Educational curricula and assessments
Psychological and educational evaluations
Regional center IPPs and periodic reviews
Benefits and program eligibility documents
General correspondence

Common questions about alternative format services

Q: How long does Braille or large print production take?

Turnaround depends on document length and complexity. Standard production for most legal and educational documents — IEPs, evaluation reports, correspondence — is three to five business days. Rush production is available; contact us at 888-254-9440 to discuss timing for urgent requests.

Q: Do I need to provide the document in a specific file format?

We accept most standard formats including Word (.docx), PDF, and plain text files. For complex documents with tables, forms, or specialized formatting — such as IEPs or legal pleadings — a Word source file produces the most accurate output. If you only have a PDF, contact us to discuss options.

Q: Can you match our organization's existing large print style guide?

Yes. If your organization has established specifications for font, size, spacing, or layout, provide them with your order and we will produce documents to those standards.

Q: Is large print the same as simply increasing the font size on a standard document?

No. Effective large print production involves more than scaling text. Line spacing, margin width, font selection, contrast, and layout all affect readability for low-vision readers. A document that has simply been enlarged often has formatting problems — truncated text, overlapping elements, or reflowed tables — that make it harder to read than the original. AccessBridge produces large print documents formatted specifically for the format, not scaled from standard print.

Q: What is a BRF file and does my client need one?

A BRF (Braille Ready File) is an electronic file formatted for use with refreshable Braille displays and Braille notetakers. If your consumer uses a Braille display device rather than reading embossed hard copy, a BRF file is the correct output format. If you are unsure which format your consumer uses, ask them or their support service provider before placing the order.

Q: Can AccessBridge produce alternative format materials in languages other than English?

Yes. We can produce Braille and large print in Spanish and other major languages. Contact us with your specific language requirement to confirm availability and turnaround.