When we speak of government we tend to have an image of a single entity speaking in a uniform voice. This could not be further from the truth, as the government is made up of myriad agencies and departments, often each with their own agenda and certainly with their own ways of communication.

Naturally, each agency and department have areas of responsibility and need to communicate in a particular fashion to the benefit of citizens. However, we can often find great disparity in the emotional, functional, and technical accessibility of departments. The reason for this can usually be found in the lack of proper funding and the lack of champions who highlight the needs of those using the services. The UK government has made great strides in unifying the government appearance and the way it communicates with its citizens. Its services have become all the more accessible because of that.

The panel will discuss what makes for good typography in government bearing in mind that Western countries such as the USA or the UK are made up of many different ethnic groups that do not necessarily have English or even the Latin alphabet as their first means of communication. It will also look at how good practice in typography can benefit those with lower educational attainments and literacy skills.

This panel discussion is about accessibility in typography considering emotional, functional, and technical aspects. It is aimed at design professionals and communication officers.