91ÖÆƬ³§

What is SCULPT?

SCULPT came out of research to understand user needs and to address basic digital accessibility awareness and training requirements for a wider workforce approach.

The full journey to develop SCULPT can be read at .

SCULPT is a simple acronym and underlying framework to introduce the basic principles of digital accessibility in a bite-sized approachable way.

Using feedback, we have added to the original SCULPT model to cater for a much broader range of digital content beyond just documents.

SCULPT now stands for:

• S stands for structuring a document using headings  
• C stands for colour contrast, colour use, captions and checkers for accessibility  
• U is use of images and alt text
• L refers to links and logical reading order  
• P is plain language 
• T stands for tables, text and transcripts 

SCULPT at 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council

This is how we use sculpt in our organisation:

• mandatory e-learning module for all new starters and existing staff to underpin basic awareness of digital accessibility and the SCULPT principles
• SCULPT support area on our intranet with on-demand resources specific to each principle of SCULPT to assist staff in their everyday practice.
• bespoke learning sessions can be requested for service areas internally based on their specific needs. See an example of some lunch and learn SCULPT sessions from the SEND and Alternative Provision Partnership Committee

SCULPT also forms part of our Digital Accessibility Strategy and is embedded within our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (PDF). 

SCULPT can be adopted by anyone

We see SCULPT as a simple way to communicate some basic principles of digital accessibility and a starting point to shape inclusive practices. It was a finalist in four national awards during 2021 and 2022, including the .

Anyone can use the SCULPT acronym to develop their own approach to digital accessibility. To get you started our posters and logos are free to download.

SCULPT has been acknowledged nationally:

Additionally, many other organisations have adopted and shared the SCULPT model, here are a small cross-section of examples:

Tell us your SCULPT story

Over the years we've had many organisations contact us about how we embedded SCULPT at 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council.

In addition, we've also had organisations tell us how they've adopted and then creatively adapted SCULPT to fit their specific organisational needs.

No organisation is the same, so we are asking those who have adopted SCULPT to tell us their story so as a community we can inspire others to follow our lead.

SCULPT license

SCULPT by Helen Wilson is licensed under a . Based on work at 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council.

A Creative Commons license means that SCULPT is free to adopt, all that we ask is that you acknowledge us by pointing back to this webpage if you use it.