About the Accessible Information Standard
The
Accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
Information Standard (AIS) was introduced by
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
in 2016 to make sure that people with a disability or sensory loss are given information in a way they can understand.
It is now the
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
for the
NHS
The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals.
and adult
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
services to comply with AIS. Find out more about AIS below, or download our
easy read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
guide about it.
What is the Accessible Information Standard?
The standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss are provided with information that they can easily read or understand, and with support, so they can communicate easily with health and social care services.
This should lead to improved outcomes and experiences, and safer, better services.
The Standard is there to help NHS and adult social care services to improve, so they can better meet the communication and support needs of disabled people.
Who has to follow the standard?
All
organisations
Organisations are groups like companies and businesses.
that offer NHS or Adult Social Care must now follow the
Accessible Information Standard
The Accessible Information Standard is a rule for health and social care services that says they have to communicate with you in a way you can understand.
by law. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies and social workers.
How does the standard work?
If you have a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. it means that NHS or Adult Social Care services need to:
- Find out your communication and information needs
- Record your communication and information needs clearly and consistently on your record
- Flag your needs, so when a member of staff opens your record it is really clear what your communication or information needs are
- Share your information and communication needs when needed, for example if they are referring you to another service
- Take action to give you the right support. For example, offering you easy read information or making sure there is someone there to support you with communication.
What should I do next?
It is really important that everyone learns about their rights in the standard, to make sure they are getting the right service.
People are still learning about the standard so it is important to remind services what they need to do.
Mencap has created an easy read guide so you can find out more, and you can use the communication tool below to tell people what your needs are.
Make sure you check if your communication needs are noted down clearly by medical or care staff.
Further resources
CHANGE has produced a downloadable communication card which you can use to share your communication needs.
NHS England - more information about accessible information
Accessible Information Standard - easy read
See our easy read guide to getting information you can understand from health and social care services
Getting the right care in hospital
Find information and guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well. on getting the right care for people with a learning disability in hospital.
The Accessible Information Standard is a law which aims to make sure people with a disability or sensory loss are given information they can understand, and the communication support they need.
Yes. It is a rule for health and social care services that they must follow by law. It was introduced by the government to ensure people with disabilities or sensory loss get information they can understand.
All organisations that provide NHS care or adult social care must follow the standard. This includes:
- Doctors (GPs)
- Dentists
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Social workers.
It is for anyone who has a disability, impairment, or sensory loss that affects how they communicate. This specifically includes people who are blind, d/Deaf, deafblind, have hearing or sight loss, or have a learning disability.
Remind the service what they need to do, as people are still learning about the standard.
You can download and show them our Easy Read guide or use a "communication tool" to tell them exactly what your needs are.