Easy English

An introduction

Scope’s Communication Resource Centre

9843 2000

crc@scopevic.org.au

www.scopevic.org.au

“a message has not been communicated unless the

person receiving the message understands it”

Literacy link. Newsletter of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy.

April 2008.

Who benefits?

People with low English literacy due to

• Intellectual disability

• Learning disability

• Acquired disability, such as stroke, brain injury or

degenerative condition

• Poor educational outcomes

• Reduced exposure to literacy in adult life

• Ageing

Who else?

Why do people benefit?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?adlt=strict&q=maslow&qft=+filterui:imagesize-

large&FORM=R5IR3#view=detail&id=0D6E8D5DA4959B1D1F30C55A1FE05C1DFF36657D&selectedIndex=2

What is Easy English?

• Written information for people with low English literacy

• Easy to read

• May or may not have images

• Readers may or may not need help to

– read or

– understand or

– relate the information to themselves.

• Simplified language and grammar

• Minimal punctuation

• Simplified font, layout and design

• Images that illustrate headings and key messages

Language + format + images+

consumer reviewed

Review existing resources

www.delicious.com/accessibleinformationservicescope

Evidence

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

2006 1997

Level 5

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Evidence

New ABS Literacy Statistics

• 44% of Australians (7.3 million) have literacy skills at

level 1 or 2.

• 39% at Level 3 (6.4 million)

• 17% at Level 4 or 5 (2.7 million)

• Assessed adults 15 - 74 in 3 areas:

- literacy

- numeracy

- problem solving in technology rich environments

(computer use)

Other research – our experience

Owens, J (2006) Accessible Information for People with

Complex Communication Needs. AAC Sept 2006 Vol.22 (3)

pp 196-208.

Worrall, Linda, Rose, Tanya, Howe, Tami, Brennan, Alison,

Egan, Jennifer, Oxenham, Dorothea and McKenna, Kryss

(2005) Access to written information for people with aphasia.

Aphasiology, 19 10-11: 923-929

Also literature in the Plain Language field, Health literacy and

Financial literacy

Consumer views and reports

Saying it simply report. Glasgow Good Information Group.

Hey, I can read that! Perspectives on plain language

and people with developmental disabilities.

Jean Ross and Janet Pringle. The Vocational and

Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI) presented to the

Fourth Biennial Conference of the PLAIN Language

Association International, September 27, 2002

Human Rights

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

(2006)

Article 21- Freedom of Expression and Opinion and Access to

information

(a) Providing information intended for the general public to

persons with disabilities in accessible formats and

technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a

timely manner and without additional cost.

Human Rights

Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act

(2006).

15. Freedom of expression.

(2) Every person has the right to freedom of expression which includes the freedom

to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, whether within or

outside Victoria and whether –

(a) Orally; or

(b) In writing; or

(c) In print; or

(d) By way of art; or

(e) In another medium chosen by him or her.

Laws, policies and guidelines

• Federal

Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

• State

Victorian Disability Act (2006)

Equal Opportunity Act (2010)

Victorian Government External Communication Access Policy

(2006). This policy supports the Victorian State Disability Plan.

Overseas

Valuing People White Paper

Simultaneous release as accessible, easy to read paper.

“Nothing About Us Without Us”

Web accessibility

Australian Government’s National Transition Strategy (NTS) –

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0

‘AA standard’ by 2015

Recommendations for making web content on government

websites more accessible

Complex, plain, easy

Complex Language

It is important that you shall read the notes, advice and

information detailed opposite then complete the form overleaf

(all sections) prior to its immediate return to the Council by way

of the envelope provided.

Plain Language

Please read the notes opposite before you fill in the form.

Then send it back to us as soon as possible in the envelope

provided. www.plainenglish.co.uk

Easy

• Read all the information on page 13

• Fill in the blue form

• Put the form in the envelope

• Send the envelope to me by

• Friday 20 May 2013

What are other sectors doing?

Tourism

http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/business-tools-

support/accessible-tourism.html

Guidelines for businesses - includes suggestions about

making information more accessible.

We can help

• Training and advice

• Partnership

• Supporting you to develop documents

• Design services

• Resources, eg. Easy English Writing Style Guide

Contact details

For more information please contact the

Communication Resource Centre

Phone 9843 2000

Email crc@scopevic.org.au

Website www.scopevic.org.au

Picture Communication Symbols © 1981 – 2013. Mayer-Johnson LLC