Accessible Annual Report for a Vision Driven Mission
National Eye Institute, NIH
Why This Project Mattered
The National Eye Institute (NEI) needed an accessible, visually engaging annual report to highlight the accomplishments and impact of its first year under a new communications and outreach contract. The report showcases key milestones, partnerships, and progress toward NEI’s mission to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research — all presented in a clear, Section 508-compliant format.
How We Approached and Delivered
We designed the report to be clear, readable, and user-friendly. That meant strong typography, high contrast, and a layout that worked well for screen readers and low-vision users.
Our final designs helped NEI share their message more effectively.? We delivered an accessible PDF and print-ready version, structured layouts to guide readers through the content, visual hierarchy and contrast to support readability
Clearer, More Engaging Layouts
Each page followed a consistent format with clean typography and strong contrast. This improved readability and created a more polished, professional experience—without sacrificing accessibility.
Showing Real People and Real Impact
Photos in the report reflected the diversity of the communities NEHEP serves. We prioritized images that felt authentic and representative—showing different races, ages, and lived experiences.
Turning Data into Easy-to-Understand Graphics
We used infographics and icons to make complex information easier to grasp. These visuals supported the storytelling and made the content more approachable for a wide range of readers.
Extra Materials for Glaucoma Awareness
As part of this work, we also created a toolkit for Glaucoma Awareness Month. This included a printed guide for older adults, social media graphics with clear messaging, easy-to-read visuals designed for accessibility
Reflections
This project shows that accessibility and great design can go hand in hand. By centering clarity, inclusion, and real user needs, we created something that looks good—and works for everyone.
