Australia & New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG)

The Australian and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) is a standing subcommittee of the Round Table.

Accessible graphics are those which can be accessed by people with a print disability. Methods to make graphics accessible may include clear print enlargement, tactile graphics, descriptions, 3D printing, image recognition software, haptics, audio labels, sonification and refreshable graphic displays.

ANZAGG serves as a forum for sharing views and information about accessible graphics. It is open to anyone in Australia and New Zealand with an interest in accessible graphics  – consumers, producers, teachers, disability support staff, parents, producers of print graphics, and more.

The ANZAGG Terms of Reference (.doc) were first adopted in October 2015 and updated in May 2023.

ANZAGG News

Nominations for positions on the ANZAGG Executive Committee for the 2025-2027 term are invited. Nominations must be sent via email from a Round Table member to [email protected], with confirmation that the nominee is willing to stand for the position. Self-nominations will be accepted.

ANZAGG Communications

Accessible Graphics listserv

The Accessible Graphics listserv is the group’s main communication channel. It is a great place to keep up with the latest news relating to accessible graphics and to ask questions of fellow experts.

To join the list, send an email from your preferred account to [email protected] with “subscribe” in the subject field.

Alternatively, visit the list page at http://www.freelists.org/list/accessiblegraphics. Under “choose an action”, select “subscribe”.

To post to the list, simply send an email to [email protected].

ANZAGG facebook group

Links to news items and websites relating to accessible graphics are shared regularly in the ANZAGG facebook group. It is also an open forum for questions and contributions.

Information and Resources

  • Round Table Guidelines on Conveying Visual Information (2022) (docx) – guidelines published by the Round Table, offering suggestions and examples of ways in which non-textual information can be presented in a format accessible to people who are blind or vision impaired. Available for free download as e-text, print or braille.
  • Best practice guidelines for production of accessible graphics (2021) (docx) – Links to guidelines on production of tactile graphics, tactile books for young children, diagram descriptions, 3D printed models, and teaching tactile graphicacy.
  • Teaching tactile graphicacy (2019) (docx) – Information and resources on supporting young children to learn how to read graphics by touch.
  • Accessible graphics repositories (2022) (docx) – Sources of master diagrams for the production of tactile graphics and 3D printed models.
  • 3D printing for students who are blind or have low vision – overview (docx) – An introductory guide with information about 3D printing, advantages and disadvantages for use, where to find existing models and how to design your own.
    • Organisational support for 3D printing as an accessible format
    • When to use 3D printing for touch readers
    • Where to find 3D printing designs
    • 3D printing design software
    • Design considerations for 3D printed models for use by people who are blind or have low vision
    • The 3D printing process
    • Other methods for creating 3D models
    • Labelling 3D models
    • Finishing – Preparing 3D prints for touch readers
    • Understanding 3D prints through touch
    • 3D printing on paper to create tactile graphics
    • 3D printing by people who are blind or have low vision
  • Public art for touch – Locations in Australia to find public art that is accessible by touch, including a description of each piece.

Meeting archives

Annual meetings

ANZAGG meets annually in conjunction with the Round Table Conference. The meeting minutes include details of our work and reports from our members on the production and use of accessible graphics in their organisations:

3D printing group meetings

The ANZAGG 3D printing group meets monthly to discuss 3D printing for people who are blind or have low vision. The minutes include discussion of usage of 3D printing, technical Q&A, and presentations from guest speakers.