Person Centred Care and Emergency Support

 

What this is about

This section is about:

• Person centred care

• Easy Read information

• Communication in health care

• Supporting people in emergencies

• Learning disability awareness

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Person centred care

Person centred care means:

• The person is at the centre

• The person is listened to

• The person makes choices

• Support fits the person

It means care is not “one size fits all”.

Care should change to meet the person’s needs.

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Why person centred care matters

Person centred care helps people to:

• Feel safe

• Feel respected

• Understand information

• Make choices

• Stay independent

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Easy Read information

Easy Read means:

• Short sentences

• Simple words

• Pictures or symbols

Easy Read helps people understand:

• Health information

• Emergency instructions

• Support plans

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Communication support

Good communication means:

• Speak clearly

• Use simple words

• Give time to respond

• Do not rush

• Check understanding

Some people may also need:

• Pictures

• Symbols

• Communication boards

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Choice and control

People should have:

• Choice about their care

• Control over decisions

• Information they can understand

This builds trust and confidence.

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Support planning

Person centred planning means:

• Planning with the person

• Not planning for the person

• Setting goals together

• Supporting independence

A plan should change when the person’s needs change.

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Respect and dignity

Dignity means:

• Treating people with respect

• Listening to what matters to them

• Not ignoring their voice

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Emergency and crisis support

In emergencies people may:

• Feel scared

• Feel confused

• Find it hard to speak

Support should be:

• Calm

• Clear

• Simple

• Safe

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Learning disability awareness

People with learning disabilities may:

• Need more time

• Need simple language

• Need support to understand information

This is normal and should be respected.

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Easy Read standards

Good Easy Read should:

• Use short sentences

• Avoid jargon

• Explain hard words

• Use clear layout

• Include pictures where helpful

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Key idea from disability organisations

Person centred care means:

• Listening to the person

• Respecting choices

• Supporting independence

• Using clear communication

It is about what matters to the person.

Disability Horizons provides Easy Read information and guidance about person centred care and disability rights.

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Final message

Good care means:

• Understanding the person

• Communicating clearly

• Supporting independence

• Respecting choices

Every person is different.

Support must match the person.

2. Symbol Layout Guide

Page design

• Words on the left
• Pictures on the right

Suggested pictures

Use simple images like:

• Ambulance
• Calm face
• Speech bubble
• Hand listening
• Heart (care)
• Quiet room
• Communication board

Writing style

• Short sentences
• One idea per line
• Step by step order

Example layout

Left:

• Speak slowly
• Use simple words
• Give time

Right:

• Speech bubble
• Clock
• Calm face

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3. PowerPoint Slides

Slide 1

Emergency Care and Accessibility

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Slide 2

What is important

• Clear communication
• Respect
• Safety
• Understanding

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Slide 3

Person centred care

• Person is central
• Choices matter
• Dignity matters

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Slide 4

Communication

• Simple words
• Calm voice
• No jargon
• Eye level

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Slide 5

Easy Read and visuals

• Simple text
• Pictures
• Communication boards

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Slide 6

Mental Health First Aid

• Spot distress
• Listen
• Support safely

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Slide 7

Crisis support

• De escalation
• Calm approach
• Safety first

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Slide 8

Physical and mental health

• Both matter
• Both need care

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Slide 9

Key message

• Respect
• Understanding
• Clear communication

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4. Workbook Activities

Activity 1

Tick the correct answers

Good communication includes:

• Simple words
• Medical jargon
• Calm voice
• Rushing

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Activity 2

Match the words

De escalation

• Helping someone calm down

Dignity

• Being treated with respect

Person centred care

• Support based on the person

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Activity 3

True or false

1. Everyone communicates the same way
2. Easy Read can help understanding
3. Respect is important in emergencies

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Activity 4

Think and write

• What helps you feel safe
• What helps you understand information
• What support do you need

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5. References

Mental Health First Aid
CDC Emergency Preparedness
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Patient Provider Communication Tools

Dyspraxia Needs To Be Taken Seriously

 

About Me

My name is Sara Jane Gorman.

I work as a visiting lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.

I teach student learning disability nurses.

I also worked in advocacy and learning disability training.

I worked with Mencap and other disability organisations.

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My Background

I was born in 1969.

I had a lack of oxygen to the brain at birth.

I grew up in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

At that time, there was very little understanding of disability.

There was very little support.

I did not get a clear diagnosis when I was young.

My family saw I had difficulties.

But the conditions were not well known.

Now we understand more.

This is why early diagnosis is important.

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My Conditions

I live with:

• Autism

• Dyspraxia

• Dyslexia

• ADHD

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Epilepsy

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What Dyspraxia Means

Dyspraxia is a long term condition.

It is not an illness.

It is not a disease.

It affects movement and coordination.

It can also affect thinking and learning.

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Dyspraxia is Often Hidden

People with Dyspraxia can:

• Walk

• Talk

So people may think everything is fine.

But inside everyday life can be very hard.

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How Dyspraxia Affects Me

Dyspraxia can slow things down.

It does not stop life.

But it makes many things harder.

Some examples for me are:

• Tying shoelaces

• Doing zips

• Fast hand movements

• Daily tasks

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Daily Life Challenges

Dyspraxia can affect:

• Personal care

• Dressing

• Cooking

• Carrying things

It can also affect:

• Planning

• Memory

• Coordination

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Emotional Impact

Dyspraxia has affected my feelings.

It has caused:

• Anxiety

• Frustration

• Stress

• Low confidence at times

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Important Life Impact

Dyspraxia can affect big life choices.

For me it affected:

• Having children

• Physical ability to care for babies

This was very difficult and emotional.

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Important Message

Dyspraxia is different for everyone.

Not everyone has the same difficulties.

Some people need more support than others.

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Support

Support is very important.

But not everyone gets enough support.

This can be because of:

• Funding

• Services not being available

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My View

Dyspraxia needs to be taken seriously.

It is often misunderstood.

People need:

• Understanding

• Support

• Respect

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Strengths

Even with Dyspraxia, people can have strengths:

• Creativity

• Determination

• Strong memory in some areas

• Ability to keep trying

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Final Message

Dyspraxia is real.

It affects daily life.

People should not be judged.

People should be supported.

People should be believed.

What is Dyspraxia

 

Simple Explanation

Dyspraxia is a disability.

It affects how the brain and body work together.

This means it can be hard to:

• Move

• Balance

• Plan

• Do everyday tasks

Another name for Dyspraxia is Developmental Coordination Disorder.

This means:

• The body finds it hard to coordinate movements

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Important Message

Dyspraxia is often misunderstood.

People may think:

• The person is careless

• The person is not trying

This is not true.

People with Dyspraxia:

• Are trying their best

• May need more time

• May need support

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Dyspraxia is a Hidden Disability

A hidden disability means you can not always see it.

A person may:

• Walk

• Talk

But still need help.

Because of this:

• People may not understand

• People may expect too much

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How Dyspraxia Affects the Body

Dyspraxia affects:

• Movement

• Balance

• Coordination

This can make it hard to:

• Walk safely

• Climb stairs

• Hold things

• Use tools

Example:

• Opening a tin with a can opener

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How Dyspraxia Affects Learning

Dyspraxia can make it hard to:

• Read

• Write

• Concentrate

• Remember things

This is similar to Dyslexia.

Dyslexia means difficulty with reading and writing.

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Early Signs

Some babies and children may:

• Be slow to roll over

• Be slow to sit or walk

• Find balance hard

• Be slow to talk

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Everyday Difficulties

Some people may find it hard to:

Movement:

• Run

• Jump

• Skip

• Ride a bike

• Catch a ball

Daily tasks:

• Get dressed

• Tie shoelaces

• Use a knife and fork

• Brush teeth

• Wash hair

Home tasks:

• Cook

• Carry hot drinks

• Use a vacuum cleaner

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Thinking and Understanding

Some people may find it hard to:

• Understand instructions

• Follow conversations

• Learn new skills

• Do more than one thing at a time

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Feelings and Emotions

Dyspraxia can affect feelings.

Some people may:

• Feel frustrated

• Feel anxious

• Feel stressed

• Feel low in confidence

People may also:

• Get upset easily

• Get angry easily

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Sensory Differences

Some people may be sensitive to:

• Light

• Noise

• Touch

• Taste

Sensitive means something feels too strong or uncomfortable.

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Other Difficulties

Some people may have:

• Poor short term memory

• Trouble keeping things tidy

• Trouble planning tasks

• Trouble making friends

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Good and Bad Days

People with Dyspraxia may have:

• Good days

• Bad days

Example:

• A task may feel easy one day

• The same task may feel hard the next day

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Important Reminder

Not everyone is the same.

Some people may:

• Find some things easy

• Find other things hard

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Strengths

People with Dyspraxia also have strengths.

Some people may be:

• Creative

• Good at art or writing

• Kind and caring

• Determined

Some people:

• Do not give up

• Keep trying

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Causes of Dyspraxia

The exact cause is not always known.

It is linked to how the brain develops.

It is not the person’s fault.

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Types of Difficulties

Dyspraxia can affect different areas.

Movement:

• Body movement and balance

Speech:

• How a person talks and is understood

Understanding:

• How a person understands the world

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Living with Dyspraxia

Life can be harder.

But support can help.

Support may include:

• Extra time

• Clear instructions

• Practice

• Understanding from others

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Final Message

People with Dyspraxia:

• Are not lazy

• Are not careless

They may just do things differently.

With the right support:

• People can learn

• People can grow

• People can succeed

Easy Read Guidelines 2

 

What is Easy Read

Easy Read is a way of writing.

It helps people understand information.

It uses:

• Short words

• Short sentences

• Clear layout

• Pictures or symbols

Easy Read is for people who may find reading hard.

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Use Simple Words

Use plain English.

This means:

• Use everyday words

• Do not use jargon

Jargon means words that are hard to understand or used by experts.

If you must use a hard word:

• Explain what it means

Example:

• Accessible means easy to understand and use

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Keep Sentences Short

Write short sentences.

Use one idea in each sentence.

Use full stops.

Do not use:

• Long sentences

• Too many commas

• Other punctuation marks

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Be Clear and Direct

Say exactly what the person needs to do.

Example:

• You must send your form today.

Do not add extra information that is not needed.

Make sure important information is clear.

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Use Lists

Use bullet points or numbers.

This makes information easier to follow.

Example:

Shopping list:

• Eggs

• Bacon

• Beans

Steps:

1. Open the letter.

2. Read the first page.

3. Send the form.

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Use Active Sentences

Use active words.

Example:

• John loves Mary.

Do not say:

• Mary is loved by John.

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Do Not Use Short Forms

Write full words.

Example:

• Do not

Do not write:

• Do not use words like do not shortened

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Use Numbers

Write numbers as numbers.

Example:

• 22

Do not write:

• twenty two

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Make Text Easy to Read

Use:

• Large print size 12 or more

• Clear font

• Good spacing

Do not crowd the page.

Leave space between lines and words.

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Use Pictures and Symbols

Pictures can help people understand.

You can use:

• Photos

• Pictures

• Symbols

Put:

• Words on the left

• Pictures on the right

Make sure pictures are:

• Clear

• Not childish for adults

Ask the person what pictures they like.

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Be Careful With Symbols

Do not use too many symbols.

Some people may not understand them.

Use simple pictures instead.

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Different Ways to Share Information

Some people may prefer:

• Writing

• Audio

• Video

Always ask what works best.

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Emails and Digital Information

Emails can lose their layout.

This can make them hard to read.

Try to:

• Save the format

• Check it still looks clear

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Know Your Audience

Everyone is different.

Ask:

• What helps them understand

• What they prefer

Include people in the process.

Ask for their ideas.

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Final Message

Accessible information is important.

It helps people:

• Understand

• Make choices

• Stay safe

Good Easy Read:

• Is clear

• Is simple

• Puts the person first

Easy Read Guidelines

 

Introduction

Accessible information is very important.

People with disabilities and health conditions need information that is:

• Easy to read

• Easy to understand

• Clear and direct

Many people do not get enough support.
Some people have no support at all.

This can make everyday things harder, such as:

• Reading letters about benefits

• Understanding bills

• Knowing what actions to take

• Understanding important deadlines

If information is not accessible, people may:

• Feel confused

• Feel frustrated

• Miss important tasks

• Not understand what is expected

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Why Easy Read Matters

Easy Read helps make information:

• Simple

• Clear

• Accessible

Without Easy Read:

• Print may be too small

• Words may be too long or complex

• Too much information may be given at once

This can make important information very difficult to understand.

For example:

• A bill may need to be paid

• A form may need to be sent by a certain date

If a person does not understand this, it can cause serious problems.

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Important Points About Accessibility

Not everyone learns or understands information in the same way.

It is important to:

• Ask people what works best for them

• Ask what they find accessible

• Respect individual needs

Be honest if you cannot provide something.
Always explain information clearly if someone does not understand.

If a person has support with them:

• Speak to the person directly

• But also allow their supporter to help explain

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Making Information Clear

Information should be:

• Short

• Direct

• Easy to follow

For example:

• “You must post your benefit form tomorrow.”

Use:

• Bullet points

• Step-by-step instructions

• Numbers (1, 2, 3)

• Letters (A, B, C)

This helps people who:

• Have memory difficulties

• Find it hard to process lots of information

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Teaching and Learning

Teaching should also be accessible.

Use:

• Simple words

• Short sentences

• Pictures or symbols

Learning is not always easy for anyone.
However, it can be much harder for people with:

• Disabilities

• Health conditions

This can affect:

• Memory

• Understanding

• Processing information

• Learning speed

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Final Message

How information is presented makes a big difference.

Good accessible information can:

• Help people understand

• Help people make decisions

• Support independence

Always think about:

• How the information looks

• How it is written

• How easy it is to understand

Accessible information helps everyone.

What Is Easy Read and What Is Not Easy Read?

 

What Is Easy Read?

Easy Read is a way of communicating information so that it is easier to understand.

Easy Read is:

• A form of communication

• Written in plain English

• Made up of short, clear sentences

• Supported by pictures or symbols

• Written in large, clear print

• Well spaced with simple layout

• Focused on one idea at a time

Easy Read helps people understand information more easily and make their own decisions.

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What Is NOT Easy Read?

Easy Read is not:

• Long, complicated sentences

• Small or crowded text

• Lots of information all at once

• Words that are difficult to understand

• Text with no pictures or support

• Messy or confusing layouts

• Words “jumping all over the page”

Easy Read should feel calm, clear, and easy to follow.

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What Is Plain English?

Plain English means using simple, everyday words that most people understand.

For example:

• Use “help” instead of “assistance”

• Use “doctor” instead of “medical practitioner”

• Use “start” instead of “commence”

Plain English makes information quicker and easier to read.

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What Is Jargon?

Jargon is language that is used by professionals or specific groups, but may be confusing to others.

Jargon is:

• Technical or specialist language

• Words that are not used in everyday conversation

• Often difficult to understand without explanation

For example:

• “Cognitive impairment” instead of “difficulty thinking”

• “Reasonable adjustments” instead of “changes to help you”

• “Service user” instead of “person”

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What Is NOT Jargon?

Not all longer words are jargon.

A word is not jargon if:

• It is commonly used in everyday life

• Most people understand it

• It does not need explaining

For example:

• “Hospital”

• “Teacher”

• “Family”

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Why This Matters

When we avoid jargon and use Easy Read:

• More people can understand information

• People feel more confident

• People can make their own choices

• Information becomes more inclusive

Easy Read is about respect, inclusion, and understanding.

What Is Easy Read?

 

Easy Read is a way of presenting information so that it is easier to understand. It is designed mainly for people with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, brain injuries, dementia, communication difficulties, or anyone who finds standard written information difficult to read.

Easy Read uses:

• Simple everyday words
• Short sentences
• Large clear text
• Pictures or symbols to support meaning
• Plenty of space on the page
• Clear headings and sections

The aim of Easy Read is to help people understand information independently and make informed choices about their lives.

Easy Read can help people:

• Understand their rights
• Make decisions about healthcare
• Access education and employment
• Take part in their communities
• Understand forms, letters, and reports
• Feel more included in society

When information is accessible, people are better able to take control of their own lives and participate in decisions that affect them.

Key Features of Easy Read

Simple Language

Easy Read avoids jargon, technical language, and complicated words whenever possible.

If a difficult word must be used, it should be explained clearly.

Short Sentences

Each sentence should usually contain only one main idea.

Many Easy Read guidelines recommend keeping sentences to around 10–15 words where possible.

Clear Layout

Easy Read documents should:

• Use large fonts
• Have good colour contrast
• Include plenty of white space
• Use clear headings and subheadings
• Avoid cluttered pages

A clean layout makes information easier to follow.

Pictures and Symbols

Pictures help explain the meaning of the text.

These may include:

• Photographs
• Drawings
• Symbols
• Illustrations

Pictures should support the words rather than replace them.

Why Is Easy Read Important?

Many people struggle to understand complex written information.

Without accessible information, people may:

• Miss important appointments
• Not understand their healthcare
• Be unaware of their rights
• Find forms difficult to complete
• Feel excluded from decisions

Easy Read helps reduce these barriers and promotes equality, independence, and inclusion.

Easy Read and the Law

In the United Kingdom, accessible information is supported by laws and guidance including:

• The Equality Act 2010
• The Accessible Information Standard
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

These frameworks encourage organizations to provide information in formats that disabled people can understand.

Is There an American Version of Easy Read?

Yes, although the name "Easy Read" is used less often in the United States.

American organizations are more likely to use terms such as:

• Plain Language
• Plain English
• Accessible Information
• Easy-to-Understand Materials
• Health Literacy Materials
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Many U.S. government agencies follow the principles of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which requires federal agencies to communicate clearly with the public.

In practice, many American accessible documents use the same principles as Easy Read:

• Simple language
• Short sentences
• Clear design
• Pictures and symbols when appropriate

The main difference is often the terminology rather than the approach itself.

Easy Read Is for Everyone

Although Easy Read was developed to support people with learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities, it can also benefit:

• Autistic people
• People with ADHD
• People with dyslexia
• People with brain injuries
• Older adults
• People learning English
• People experiencing stress, anxiety, or mental health difficulties

Clear information helps everyone understand important messages more easily.