My typical Easy Read project looks like this: An organisation sends me 20-pages of small print, to be translated into Easy Read. It might be a topic I am familiar with, such as social care or personal budgets. It might be something I am less familiar with: a specific medical condition, an academic paper or a legal framework. I like to work fast, and many organisations work under huge pressure, so there is usually a tight deadline. I am expected to return an extremely condense

When people ask me "what do you do for a living?" I am never entirely sure what to say. Sometimes I start with "I'm a graphic designer", because many people can imagine what that is. I design books and leaflets, and I make pages look nice. Then I might start to explain that I write and design information specifically for people with learning disabilities. I often then follow this up with something like "it's a bit niche". I looked up definitions of "niche". One said: " A spec

Sometimes there is some confusion around exactly who Easy Read information is designed for. This is understandable because it’s appeal seems to be pretty broad: quick-to-read, easy language, waffle deleted, clear images, large print...etc. I often hear professionals say: "I always read the easy read version if there is one. I’m too busy for 50 pages of small print." However, Easy Read was most definitely developed by people with learning disabilities. My career started in 20

I’ve been reflecting on my career. Which led me to think about my values - what makes me “tick”? My values are about seeing the potential...

A laptop and some paperwork It seems to me that the more difficulties you have, the harder it becomes to access the help you need. More...

Another musical analogy here - similar to my  last blog about white space . And also another experience with the wonderful Laura Cousins...

A large, empty room The most important design element of Easy Read design is nothing .  Space on the page.  An analogy in music: I took...

Easy Read is just the final step in a very long process. It would not exist at all without that brilliantly long, complex, original version.

A few years ago, I was delivering some Easy Read training to a mixed group of people - care staff, admin staff, and people with learning...

I'm just so thrilled to have been invited to edit this book! Buy it from Red Press Publishing. We are all equal. We are all different. We...

Edgar Schein (1992) - Model of Organisational Culture We can all recognise a "good culture" or a "toxic culture" when we experience it....

The number of cruise ships visiting Portland, Dorset, has exploded during 2023! This is brilliant for Dorset in many ways, but it means...

Easy Read information makes things more accessible, for a few more people. It will never make all information accessible for everyone.

I see my writing and design service as a journey, not a destination. The process behind every project is unique. I'd like to share one...

I have been involved in lots of co-production projects over the last 20 years. Let’s go back to the beginning of my career- around 2003,...

Every designer has their own style. Easy Read is an art and not a science, but there are some common features. Here is my run-down of 10...

Organisations who are short on time or skills can ask people like me to produce their documents in Easy Read. Sometimes it is useful to...

My last blog, about Sarah, made me feel warm, fuzzy and nostalgic as I was writing it. This one is much harder, as it describes a moment...

Co-production implies change. Change can happen in many wonderful, difficult and varied ways. The model below describes some...

I have played the co-production game on many levels; Project manager in a user-led charity; facilitating co-production As a parent...