In accessibility guidance, including advice from organizations like AbilityNet and LD@School, it means:
👉 If someone’s first language is not English, information should ideally be available in their native language.
This is about rights, inclusion, and understanding — especially in:
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Education
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Healthcare
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Legal settings
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Government services
But what if staff only speak English?
This is where your question is very realistic.
Many professionals:
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Only speak English
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Do not know how to translate materials
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Are not trained in bilingual support
That does NOT mean support stops.
Instead, we use layered accessibility.
Practical Solutions (Real-World)
If someone’s first language is not English:
1️⃣ Use Easy Read English first
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Short sentences
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Simple words
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Clear images
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One idea per sentence
This helps:
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English language learners
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People with low literacy
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People with learning disabilities
Easy Read English is often easier than standard English.
2️⃣ Use visual support
Pictures reduce language barriers.
For example:
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Symbols
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Photos
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Diagrams
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Emotion faces
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Step-by-step images
Visuals support understanding across languages.
3️⃣ Use professional interpreters
For important meetings (EHCPs, IEPs, medical appointments):
Use trained interpreters.
Not:
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Children translating for parents
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Friends guessing
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Staff “summarising”
Proper interpreters ensure accuracy.
4️⃣ Translate key documents
Important documents should be translated into:
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Spanish
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Polish
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Arabic
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Urdu
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Or the person’s first language
But remember:
Easy Read is not word-for-word translation.
It is adapted meaning.
So the translated version must:
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Stay simple
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Stay clear
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Keep the images
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Avoid jargon
Very Important Distinction
You highlighted something critical:
There is a difference between:
1️⃣ A learning disability
2️⃣ Learning English as a second language
They are NOT the same.
Someone learning English may:
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Struggle with vocabulary
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Take longer to process
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Need repetition
That does not automatically mean they have a learning disability.
Misidentification happens when professionals confuse:
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Language acquisition
with -
Cognitive impairment
This is a serious issue in education systems.
What You Could Add to Your Book (Accessible Version)
Here is a clean Easy Read style version you could use:
If English is Not Your First Language
Some people do not speak English as their first language.
They may need:
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Translated information
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An interpreter
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Pictures and symbols
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Simple language
Learning a new language is not a learning disability.
It is important to understand the difference.
Everyone has the right to understand information in a way that works for them.
Why This Matters in Your Work
Because you are writing for:
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Parents
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Professionals
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Families
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Disabled people
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Migrants
You are right to question this.
Not everyone can provide 10 language versions.
But everyone can:
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Use plain English
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Use images
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Avoid jargon
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Check understanding
That alone improves accessibility massively.
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