Who is Easy Read for?

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 2001 (the era of "Valuing People" - remember that?) working as a support worker in three different residential homes. This is the best education that any aspiring Easy Read designer can have. You learn a lot about people's communication skills, often by trial and error. You need time, patience, humility and willingness to learn.

What was my biggest lesson? That every single person with a leaning disability is completely, totally different! The label of "learning disability" tells you almost nothing. Listening to people tells you everything.

So the format of today's Easy Read designs has developed from a strong base of diversity, even though we are talking about a very specific demographic of "learning disability".

Amongst the diversity there are some universal truths:

• people with learning disabilities do not want to be patronised
  

• they are engaged by information that is relevant and useful
  

• colourful and recognisable images draw people's attention and hold it for longer
  

• they want to know what action to take, which number to ring, or how this information will make a difference to them

I have been saying "they"! But don't these 4 things apply to all of us? The real beauty of Easy Read is that yes, it is designed by and for a specific group, yet it is universal in its approach and appeal.