What is Easy Read?

A complete guide to accessible documents and UKAAF principles

Easy Read in simple words

Easy Read is a way of writing that uses simple words, short sentences, and helpful pictures. It helps people with learning disabilities and other people who find reading difficult to understand information better.

What you will learn on this page

Who benefits from Easy Read?

Easy Read helps many people

Easy Read is designed for people with learning disabilities, but it helps many other people too.

People with learning disabilities

Learning disabilities affect how someone learns and processes information. Easy Read helps them understand documents about their health, benefits, and rights.

People with autism

Many autistic people prefer clear, direct communication. Easy Read removes confusion and helps them process information more easily.

People learning English

Simple vocabulary and clear structure help people who are learning English as a second language.

People with reading difficulties

This includes dyslexia and other conditions that make reading challenging. Clear text and images help comprehension.

People who are stressed or busy

When dealing with important documents during difficult times, everyone benefits from clearer information.

Everyone else

Studies show that most people prefer simple, clear information. Easy Read makes documents better for everyone.

What are UKAAF principles?

UKAAF stands for UK Association for Accessible Formats

UKAAF creates guidelines for making information accessible in the UK. Their principles help organisations create high-quality Easy Read documents.

UKAAF key principles

  • Involve people with learning disabilities in creating and testing documents (recommended best practice)
  • Use simple language that everyone can understand
  • Include relevant images to support the text
  • Use clear layout and design with plenty of white space
  • Test documents with the people who will use them (recommended best practice)

Why UKAAF matters

UKAAF principles ensure that Easy Read documents are:

  • Actually helpful to people who need them
  • Consistent across different organisations
  • Based on research and evidence
  • Regularly updated with new research

Claro follows UKAAF writing and design principles. We're working towards implementing user testing with people who use Easy Read documents.

Before and after examples

See how Easy Read makes information clearer and easier to understand.

Before: Hard to read

"Pursuant to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2018, individuals maintain the prerogative to exercise their statutory rights regarding the processing of their personal data, including but not limited to the right to rectification, erasure, portability, and restriction of processing, subject to applicable exemptions and derogations as specified within the aforementioned legislation."

Problems:
  • Very long sentence (65 words)
  • Complex legal language
  • No clear structure
  • Multiple ideas in one sentence

After: Easy Read

Your data protection rights

The law says you have rights about your personal information.

You can ask us to:

  • Fix information if it is wrong
  • Delete your information
  • Give you a copy of your information
  • Stop using your information
Improvements:
  • Short sentences (under 15 words)
  • Simple, everyday words
  • Clear heading and bullet points
  • One idea per sentence

Before: Medical information

"The patient should discontinue the medication immediately upon experiencing any adverse reactions including but not limited to nausea, dizziness, palpitations, or dermatological manifestations, and should seek immediate medical attention from their healthcare provider or emergency services if symptoms persist or worsen."

After: Easy Read

Stop taking this medicine if you feel:

  • Sick to your stomach
  • Dizzy or light-headed
  • Your heart beating fast
  • A rash on your skin
Important: See a doctor or call 999 if you feel worse.

Easy Read writing rules

Do this

  • Use short sentences (10-15 words)
  • Use everyday words
  • Explain technical words
  • Use "you" and "we"
  • Put the most important information first
  • Use clear headings
  • Use bullet points and numbered lists
  • Give examples

Don't do this

  • Use long, complex sentences
  • Use jargon or technical words
  • Use abbreviations without explanation
  • Use passive voice
  • Bury important information
  • Use vague headings
  • Write long paragraphs
  • Assume prior knowledge

Easy Read design rules

Text formatting

  • Font size 14 point or larger
  • Sans serif fonts (like Arial)
  • Left-aligned text
  • 1.5 line spacing
  • Dark text on light background

Images and graphics

  • Simple, clear images
  • Images match the text
  • One image per concept
  • No decorative images
  • Good contrast and size

Layout and spacing

  • Plenty of white space
  • Clear section breaks
  • Consistent formatting
  • Logical page order
  • Page numbers

When to use Easy Read

Easy Read is required by law for some documents

Under the Accessible Information Standard, NHS and social care services must provide information in accessible formats when requested.

Legal requirements

  • NHS services: Patient information, treatment options, discharge instructions
  • Social care: Care plans, assessments, service information
  • Public services: Council services, benefits information, voting guides
  • Education: Special educational needs information, transition planning

Best practice recommendations

  • Housing: Tenancy agreements, repairs procedures
  • Employment: Job applications, workplace policies
  • Financial services: Banking information, insurance policies
  • Charities: Service information, fundraising materials

How to get started with Easy Read

1

Choose your document

Pick an important document that your audience needs to understand. This could be a policy, procedure, or information leaflet.

2

Convert with Claro

Upload your document to Claro. Our AI will convert it to Easy Read format following UKAAF principles in just a few minutes.

3

Review and share

Check the Easy Read version and make any final changes. Then share it with the people who need accessible information.

Ready to create Easy Read documents?

Try Claro today and see how easy it is to make your information accessible.

Start Converting See How It Works

Learn more about Easy Read

UKAAF website

The official UK Association for Accessible Formats website with detailed guidelines.

Visit UKAAF

Easy Read examples

See real examples of Easy Read documents from NHS and government services.