Introduction

 

Some books and materials are very hard to read. Sentences are long, words are difficult, and pages are crowded. This can make people feel:

“I can’t read this.”

Easy Read helps by using:

Short sentences

Simple words

Large letters

Clear spacing

Pictures or icons

This helps children, teenagers, adults, and older people read and learn more easily.

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Classic Stories

Some old stories are still hard to read:

Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson

Easy Read versions, graphic novels, and illustrated editions make reading these stories possible for everyone.

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Education and Qualifications

Students face challenges when:

Leaving school and starting college

Studying for qualifications

Using textbooks or technical guides

Easy Read textbooks and materials help by:

Breaking instructions into short steps

Using simple words

Including images or diagrams

Using large text and clear spacing

This helps students with learning disabilities, dyslexia, or low literacy succeed.

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Computers and Technology

Early computer guides, like those for WordPerfect, were very hard to read. Easy Read helps by:

Using step-by-step instructions

Replacing technical jargon with simple words

Using pictures or annotated screenshots

Using large text and spacing

This helps adults, students, and older learners gain computer skills confidently.

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My Experience: Wolverhampton Libraries

I ran a training session for Wolverhampton libraries (2009–2010) to show how books and information could be made Easy Read.

Staff learned how to create Easy Read resources

People could access books and information more easily

Funding cuts affected the Mencap enterprise I worked on with a colleague. The project could not continue.

Even so, the experience taught me how to train libraries, bookstores, publishers, and other organizations. I can pass this knowledge on in the U.S., helping:

Libraries offer Easy Read books

Publishers create adapted editions

Services provide accessible materials for people with disabilities, mental health needs, or low literacy

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Resources – UK and USA

UK: Mencap, LDW Handbook, Easy Health, Photosymbols
USA: YAI Network, ASAN, American Library Association, CDC, NIH
These provide guidance on creating accessible books, documents, and learning materials.

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Why Easy Read Matters

Empowers people to read and learn independently

Supports students, adults, and older learners

Reduces cognitive overload for everyone

Promotes inclusion and equal access to information

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Call to Action

Libraries: offer Easy Read books and resources

Publishers: create adapted editions of classics and new books

Educators: use accessible materials in teaching

Everyone: support and demand accessible information

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PowerPoint Slide Deck – Accessible Reading & Learning

Slide 1: Reading and Learning Should Be for Everyone

Why accessible information is a right

Helps people with learning disabilities, dyslexia, or language barriers

Visual: Diverse group reading

Slide 2: Easy Read Helps

Short sentences, simple words, big letters, pictures

Visual: Example of complex vs Easy Read text

Slide 3: Classic Stories

Oliver Twist, Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island

Easy Read or graphic novel editions

Visual: Book covers

Slide 4: Education and Qualifications

Support for school, college, and textbooks

Easy Read steps, images, large text

Visual: Student with tablet or booklet

Slide 5: Computers and Technology

Early guides like WordPerfect were difficult

Easy Read helps step-by-step

Visual: Annotated software screenshot

Slide 6: My Experience – Wolverhampton Libraries

Training staff on Easy Read resources

Funding cuts stopped project

Learned how to train libraries, publishers, and services in U.S.

Visual: Library with accessible signage

Slide 7: Resources – UK and US Examples

UK: Mencap, LDW, Easy Health, Photosymbols

US: YAI Network, ASAN, American Library Association, CDC, NIH

Visual: Logos/icons

Slide 8: Why Easy Read Matters

Empowers independent learning

Reduces cognitive overload

Promotes inclusion and equal access

Visual: Person confidently reading/signing

Slide 9: Call to Action

Libraries: provide Easy Read books

Publishers: create adapted editions

Educators: use Easy Read

Everyone: support accessible information

Visual: “Nothing About Us, Without Us”

TechnologyTop of Form

Choice and Respect for Original Materials

“Not everyone wants Easy Read. Some people enjoy the original layout, longer sentences, or classic formats. Easy Read is not about taking anything away. It is about giving more people the choice to read and understand. Libraries, publishers, and educators can offer both original and Easy Read versions so everyone can decide what works best for them.”

How to present this:

PDF version: Add as a highlighted box or short paragraph under the introduction or “Why Easy Read Matters” section.

PowerPoint slide: Can be a small “Choice & Respect” slide or included in Slide 8 (“Why Easy Read Matters”) with a supporting icon, like two books side by side — one original, one Easy Read.

This makes it clear that Easy Read complements, rather than replaces, traditional books and materials, respecting everyone’s preference.