Easy Read versions of free disability and technology factsheets now available
Annie Mannion | 24 Nov 20241.5 million people in the UK have learning disabilities. Easy Read is a method of making information easier to understand for this group. Easy Read documents usually combine short, jargon-free sentences with simple, clear images to help explain the content.
AbilityNet has updated its range of Easy Read versions of some of its most popular factsheets, which you can download and share:
- Communication Aids [PDF]
- Dyslexia and Technology [PDF]
- Keyboard and Mouse Alternatives [PDF]
- Vision Impairment and Computing [PDF]
- What is a Screen Reader? [PDF]
- Voice recognition [PDF]
- Making your screen easier to see [PDF]
- How to look after yourself when you use computers [PDF]
- Technology for people who are hearing impaired [PDF]
- How disabled students can get support to study [PDF]
- How to make documents accessible [PDF]
- Computers and osteoarthritis [PDF]
- Autism and computers [PDF]
Easy Read format can also be useful for people who speak English as a second language, people who find it hard to read and write, people who have memory problems, or people who are in a hurry or are stressed.
Want to know more about Easy Read? Download AbilityNet's What is Easy Read? factsheet
AbilityNet factsheets about how technology can help you
AbilityNet’s factsheets are free to download and provide advice and information about how computers and other digital technologies can help people with a range of conditions and impairments.
Written by our specialist team of assessors and accessibility consultants they give detailed information on a wide range of assistive technology, services and related organisations. Many give a step by step guide to help you set up your computer and software (assistive technology) to meet your individual requirements.
You can download more than 30 free factsheets on topics including:
- Disability and Employment
- Stroke and Computing
- Osteoarthritis and Computing
- Multiple Sclerosis and Computing
- Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Don't Disable Me training series
As well as Easy Read factsheets, AbilityNet has other useful resources available including training courses.
If your professional role includes a responsibility to improve the accessibility and diversity within your workforce, you're likely to learn useful skills from our Don’t Disable Me lived experience training series. After attending the courses you will know how to describe the types of physical impairments people experience, and understand through real-life stories the unintentional barriers we can create.
- Removing visual barriers
- Removing hearing barriers
- Removing physical barriers
- Removing neurodiversity barriers
- Removing mental health barriers
Further resources:
- Access a selection of useful Dyslexia and technology resources
- Access a selection of useful sight loss and vision impairment resources
- Free webinar playback: Technology to help people with sight loss - with RNIB and Envision
- Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter
- Unsure where to start with digital accessibility? Speak to our experts for help.
AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology