Growing Up with Dyslexia
For many people, reading comes naturally from childhood. Children often begin reading books around the age of eight or ten and continue to enjoy reading through their teenage years and adult life. Books open doors to imagination, knowledge, and learning.
For me, reading was not easy. Because of my dyslexia, many books were written in very small print and complex language. I struggled to understand the stories and often felt I was missing out. I naturally thought I was alone, especially in my childhood and teenage years.
It wasn’t until adulthood that I realised I was far from the only person facing these challenges. Many people with dyslexia, learning disabilities, or reading difficulties have similar experiences. This realisation has guided my advocacy and my work raising awareness about accessible reading.
What is Easy Read?
Easy Read is a way of presenting information so it is clear and easy to understand. It was first developed in Sweden in the 1980s and later spread across Europe in the 1990s.
Easy Read uses:
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Simple words
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Short sentences
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Clear fonts, such as Arial
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Larger text
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Bullet points
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Pictures or symbols to support understanding
The first major Easy Read document in the UK was the government paper Valuing People, which focused on the rights of people with learning disabilities and highlighted the importance of accessible information.
Easy Read is not just for children. It benefits anyone who struggles with complex language, learning difficulties, or processing information — including teenagers and adults.
Libraries and Accessible Reading
Libraries are vital for reading access. Some, like Ridgefield Library, provide graphic novels, which can help readers because images support comprehension.
However, in many UK libraries, I rarely found Easy Read books for adults. Most Easy Read materials were aimed at young children. This lack of accessible adult books creates barriers for people who want to enjoy stories, learn, or participate in group reading activities.
When I was supported by Mencap, my colleague Jessica and I started Access All Areas Now. We delivered a training session at a local library to raise awareness about the shortage of Easy Read books. Library staff were interested, but we explained that they can only provide the books that publishers produce.
This highlights a key point: publishers have a major role to play in creating accessible adult books, alongside libraries and advocacy groups.
Real-Life Example: Book Club Challenges
I am part of a special needs book club, and we recently read Robin Hood. The materials were typed sheets stapled together, full of long and difficult words. It had not been adapted into Easy Read.
During the session, each person read a paragraph aloud. One person with speech difficulties helped another member read challenging words. Even with support, many of us found the text frustrating and hard to follow.
This experience shows that even motivated adults struggle with traditional text. Accessible formats would allow more people to fully participate and enjoy reading.
Digital Reading: Ebooks and Online Barriers
Digital reading brings new opportunities, like adjustable font size and text-to-speech. But it also introduces new challenges.
Many people, including myself, struggle with creating and remembering passwords. Complicated logins and online forms can make accessing ebooks, digital libraries, or online resources stressful. For people with dyslexia, these barriers can discourage participation, even when the reading material itself could be helpful.
True accessibility means considering every step of the user experience, from text layout to digital usability.
Why Publishers, Libraries, and Bookstores Should Care
There is a clear need for adult Easy Read books:
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Publishers control what formats exist. Without accessible versions, libraries and bookstores cannot provide them.
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Libraries want to serve all members of the community and can benefit from staff training and awareness programs.
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Bookstores can reach new audiences by offering accessible editions.
Accessible books should be age-appropriate and respectful, not childish. Clear layouts, larger fonts, short sentences, and supportive images can make reading easier without changing the content or tone.
A Call to Action
Accessible books allow people to:
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Learn new things
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Enjoy stories
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Access knowledge
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Feel included in society
Easy Read is not about lowering standards; it is about removing unnecessary barriers. Everyone deserves the chance to read and participate fully, regardless of learning difficulties or reading challenges.
Creating more Easy Read materials for teenagers and adults will ensure that reading is truly inclusive, helping people like me — and many others — access the same stories and information as everyone else.
Easy Read: Easy Read Books for All Ages
Reading Can Be Hard
Some people find reading easy.
Some people, like me, have dyslexia.
For us, reading can be difficult.
Books can have:
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Small print
-
Long words
-
Hard sentences
As a child and teenager, I often felt I was alone.
I did not understand why reading was so hard for me.
What is Easy Read?
Easy Read makes information easy to understand.
It uses:
-
Short sentences
-
Simple words
-
Big, clear fonts (like Arial)
-
Bullet points
-
Pictures or symbols to help explain
Easy Read started in Sweden in the 1980s.
It spread across Europe in the 1990s.
In the UK, the first major Easy Read paper was Valuing People (2001).
It helped people with learning disabilities understand important information.
Easy Read is Not Just for Children
Easy Read is not only for young children.
Teenagers and adults with reading difficulties also need access to books.
Books for adults should be:
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Easy to read
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Age-appropriate
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Not childish or babyish
Libraries and Easy Read Books
Some libraries, like Ridgefield Library (USA), have graphic novels.
Graphic novels can help because pictures make stories easier to follow.
But in the UK, most libraries do not have Easy Read books for adults.
I worked with Mencap and my colleague Jessica.
We created Access All Areas Now and ran a training session for a library.
We explained that most books are not Easy Read, and adults need accessible books too.
Book Club Example
I am in a special needs book club.
We read Robin Hood using typed sheets of paper.
Problems we found:
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Many long, difficult words
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Not Easy Read
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People had to help each other read
This shows that:
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Traditional text can be hard for adults with learning difficulties
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Peer support helps, but it is not always enough
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Easy Read books for adults would help everyone join in
Digital Reading Can Be Hard Too
Ebooks and online books can help because you can:
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Make the text bigger
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Use text-to-speech
But they can also be difficult.
Passwords, logins, and online forms can be tricky for people with dyslexia.
This can stop people from reading online.
Accessibility means making books and digital access easy for everyone.
Why Publishers, Libraries, and Bookstores Should Care
Accessible books help people:
-
Learn new things
-
Enjoy stories
-
Take part in reading groups
-
Feel included in society
Publishers, libraries, and bookstores can help by:
-
Creating Easy Read books for teenagers and adults
-
Making sure layouts are clear and age-appropriate
-
Using big fonts, short sentences, and helpful images
Everyone Should Have the Chance to Read
Easy Read is not about lowering standards.
It is about removing barriers.
Everyone deserves to:
-
Enjoy books
-
Learn new information
-
Join reading activities
Easy Read books for adults would help many people who struggle with reading.
We all deserve to access the same stories and knowledge.
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