What is Easy Read?
Easy Read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
is a way of showing written down information that makes it easier to read. Text is broken down into short sentences on a page, images are chosen to represent each sentence and language is simplified where possible.
This is an example of Easy Read. The words here are simple, the text is quite large, and there is an image on the left showing the sentence's meaning.
Easy Read and Mencap
There are around 1.5 million people in the UK with 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.
. Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. Mencap creates hundreds of Easy Read documents, co-produced with people with a learning disability so that people with with a learning disability can get the information they need.
Who is Easy Read for?
Mencap creates Easy Reads for people with learning disabilities, but they are also helpful for people who are learning English, people who have trouble reading or writing, people who forget things easily, and people who are short on time or feeling stressed.
Creating Easy Read information
When you are creating easy read information it's important to get help from people with learning disabilities. This will help make sure the information is easy to understand. Creating good easy read text also takes some time and practice. Before you finish, be sure to check the materials with people with learning disabilities to see if they understand it. From out
research
Research is a way of finding out information which could come from books, or asking people what they think.
it has been suggested that people with a learning disability prefer images over cartoons and illustrations.
Latest Mencap Easy Reads
Here are some examples of the latest Easy Read's Mencap has produced. All of our easy reads are available to be viewed online or downloaded and printed out free of charge.
Easy Reads for Health
In the UK, many people with learning disabilities face serious health problems that could be prevented. 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 (2015) was a big step forward. It requires
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.
to offer information in
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.
ways, like Braille, easy read, large print, or audio recordings.
Easy Read is a way of showing written down information that makes it easier to read. Text is broken down into short sentences on a page, images are chosen to represent each sentence and language is simplified where possible.
You can search for our Easy Read information by visiting the Easy Read library.
From 1 August 2016 all
organisations
Organisations are groups like companies and businesses.
that provide NHS care and/or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to 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.
. The Standard sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
Easy Read is for everyone. Mencap creates Easy Reads for people with learning disabilities, but they are also helpful for people who are learning English, people who have trouble reading or writing, people who forget things easily, and people who are short on time or feeling stressed.
All of our easy reads are available to be viewed online or downloaded and printed out free of charge.