Thank you, Alex. I have been doing that same computer projection work at conference annual meetings (Toronto and Bay of Quinte) and two General Council meetings in the past (since 1992). I was also astonished (to say the least) when I say them using that combination of colours. My experience  over the years tells me that you must use a white screen with black type in a sans serif font such as Trebuchet and a type size of not less than 24 points. WordPerfect X3 or X4 is superior for this kind of work. 

 I bang my head against a metaphorical wall when I see some of the poorly done (dare I say crappy?) presentations that show up at conference annual meetings. I have, from time to time, sent them back to the creator and said "Do over for readability".  I refer folks to the RNIB guidelines for assistance.

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_printdesign.hcsp

Thanks for the link I will add to to my web site.

Heres another one from mine.

Vischeck

Provides tests to see if your web pages and other computer images are viewable to those with different types of colour blindness. Allowing you to use more then Black and White and still be accessible.

It also provides a program for those with colour deficiencies to view web pages

I'm also somewhat colour blind. It meant that the Canadian Forces wouldn't let me play with things that go "boom".

Hallelujah! Finally someone is speaking out about the wonderful "artistic" powerpoint presentations that exclude many of the people in our congregations. It is not only the colours, but the size of fonts, the busy backgrounds etc that can make the info impossible to see. Colour blindness occurs in many of males in my husband's family, and we also have two daughters who are colourblind. It is amazing how others do not see it as a disability in this multi media age, just a joke.

Will definitely access the links provided and encourage churches in our Presbytery to access them as well. As the church we need to make sure we do not exclude anyone, even if that means that we use both projected info as well as printed medium. Keep the hymn books for those who cannot see the screen because the words are printed in yellow on top of a lovely photo of autumn leaves!  What works for one will not work for everyone in the congregation.  Thanks for the info, you have lifted our spirits and given us hope.

Welcome. It's not an easy process to get people on board, but the error you describe is quite common, unfortunately.

I am not colour blind, but I too have problems with big screens projections in the front of a church. Normally someone with ADHD like myself would benefit from powerpoint screens in front.  Its hard switching back and forth from the bulletin to the song book.   But the busy backgrounds also overwlem my senses and causes me agitatation as I have a type of high functioning autism (PDD-NOS). I am also suffer agitation by loud pipe organs.

I also have  mild nerve pain due to periphial neuropathy so it is uncomfortable to hold books. The same problem people with arthritis have, which is the most common condition that causes severe disability.

However I have developed a system for those with ADD and other memory disabilities that does not require artistic powerpoint screens. I have scanned Voices United and More Voices United into jpeg images. (I use jpeg instead of the text, because I like to see the musical notations.) I have  arranged to have the Church bulletin email to me. I then merge the jpegs into the bulletin and then load it as a single file onto my Ipod Touch. This allows me to keep up with the service because I just scroll down the ipod as the service progresses. It's also light so it causes me no discomfort.

The same system can be also used to display large print for people with vision impairments. They can use this system on a pda or ipod touch or smartphone or a  larger e-reader all of which displays large print, amd are light and or if they read braille then can print out the file on their braille printer.

I add this because it important for people to know that 1) It's important for people with so called milder disabilities to speak out about demanding alternatives, because often not only do these "minor" barriers lessen the ability of people to particpate and discourages church attendence, but also 2) often the solutions for them to overcome there barriers are also solution for people with "major" disabilities who are completely left out of services.

So if anyone with a "minor" barrier is made to feel like the barrier is not a big problem and that they should learn to live with it, you can also show that removing that barrier is also removing a barrier that others face and some to the degree that it completely blocks access to church.

So interesting Alex & DKS!  Thanks for posting this.  I'm an occupational therapist by profession and definitely commited to accessibility. I also have a great interest in functional literacy issues from the same perspective.  But DUH!!  I never thought much about colour blindness!   Thanks for the wake up call! 

Oh - and I've definitely seen those horrid 'artistic' power points that make me squint & feel nauseous!

Thanks for the link to Vischeck, Alex - I've been using both the online and plugin versions to test digital projection slides for a while. I find it really helpful to see what the slide would look like for folks with the various forms of colour blindess.

I'm not quite sure what to do about the concern of text on image. I tend to up the transparency on the image, so that the text is definitely primary, or include a "semi-transparent" box, so that the text is sitting on top of it, which then sits on top of the image. Both go a distance at taking away some of the 'busyness'. We also provide full scripts of the service (all text, including hymns and service music) in 24 point Arial - and have notices (and the greeters) that let folks know we are ready to go with larger print, or offer the service script in electronic form (.txt), if that would be helpful.

(ADDITION AFTER POSTING: I've been wandering back to this thread, as I do work on the Sunday worship gathering. The question I'm struggling with goes something like this: There are some folks in the congregation who find it difficult to read text on top of images, there are others for whom the images add a great deal - so, having provided full 'scripts' of the service for all who need them, have I responded to the need appropriately? Added difficulty, I am one of those for whom the images are helpful.)

When I first started putting together slides, I contacted the CNIB and asked if they had someone who would give me some guidance. *wry smile* That was about 10 years ago... but the advice seems to have held me in reasonably good stead - so far!

Christ's peace - r

I can only speak for my self. I believe in praxis, so it's always best to be in continous dialogue with those who attend your Church, which I am sure you are. Personally I would be happy just to have the text emailed to me and I could follow along on my Ipod Touch. Since I have multiple barriers to over come that is what is best for me.

I would like to see people with disabilities and caretakers form groups that meet online or in person on a regular basis in my church. Of course you face the barriers of time, as well as getting people to admit to their limitations. Stigma, especially among the aging, and those with certian disabilities is very high. I know very many people with Autistic Kids, and as well they display signs of it as well. But due to being brought up in an era where certain aspects of disability were attributed to laxyness or stupidity, or being too fussie(sp), or other character flaws.

I think that one of the best things a minister or church leader can do to help disabled feel better about themselves. Destigmitised differences and disability in your sermons and by example.

AS a high function autistic I am both a genius and an stupid to be blunt. I took pride in my intelligence and was ashamed of my naivity(to be more gentle). Also I can be social akward at times and down right rude and annoying to others.  While I have dealt a fair ammount with my internlized homophobia, I am still struggling with my internalized ablism. I am ashamed of those aspects of my autism that make me difficult or rude. I can interrupt  people, speak too much or become obseessive. I have only relatively recently come to understand what was different about myself. and am learning ways to overcome them.   It was made more difficult by the way my memory works, in that I am often unaware of inaprobiate behaviour when it happens, I have a bad short term memory but a good long term one and  later on, often many days or weeks later I realised and was ashamed.

It is the acceptence of others and my faith in God and the example of Jesus that is the only thing that lets me go on and overcome my shame, knowing that Gods sees and forgives me.  I now tell myself their is nothing wrong with being stupid, or rude, only in not being aware and forgiving myself. That makes the difference on some days of me getting out of bed and facing the world or staying home alone. It also gives me the chance to go one living with others, espeically after an episode of being depressed over my difference and feeling guilty for not being better then I am.

Others feel shame for having other disabilities or for aging, either for the shame of thinking it is a character flaw, or for fear of loosing respect or their autonomy.

I talk about certain aspects as if they are character flaws, but often people with autism actually have stong characters, and have to develope one in order to survive. Its like saying a person with certain physical disabilities is weak, but actually they are very strong, for they have develope strength in ways that are unseen at first.