It is essential that staff, students, and professionals are trained to create Easy Read and accessible materials.
Accessible communication is not optional—it is a key part of safe, person-centred care.
Why Easy Read Training Is Important
Many individuals with learning disabilities:
Process information differently
Need clear, structured communication
Benefit from visual supports
Without accessible information, individuals may:
Not understand their rights
Struggle to make decisions
Become anxious or excluded
Functional Assessment: Understanding Strengths and Needs
Professionals often assess:
What a person can do independently
What they can do with support
What they cannot do yet
This helps build a full picture of:
Strengths
Difficulties
Support needs
Levels of Ability
Assessments usually look at three levels:
Independent
The person can complete the task safely on their own
With Support
The person needs:
Verbal prompts
Physical support
Supervision
Unable (Even with Support)
The person:
Cannot safely complete the task
May require alternative methods or full support
Use of Aids and Adaptations
Sometimes independence can be increased with simple tools, such as:
Jar openers
Adapted kitchen tools
Mobility aids
Visual schedules
These supports can make a significant difference to daily life.
Areas of Life Assessed
Functional assessments can cover all areas of life, including:
Personal Care
Washing
Dressing
Hygiene
Kitchen Skills
Using a kettle safely
Using a microwave
Cooking meals
Household Skills
Cleaning
Laundry
Organisation
Community Skills
Shopping
Travel training
Using public transport
Money Management
Budgeting
Paying bills
Understanding money
Education and Work
Learning support needs
Use of equipment
Classroom adjustments
Real-Life Contexts
Assessments are used in many settings:
With support workers
With social workers
In college or education
During benefit assessments
Understanding Support Systems
Different systems use assessments in different ways:
Benefits Systems (UK Example)
Support needs are often scored:
Higher needs = higher support funding
Based on how much help a person requires
Education Settings
Assessments are used to:
Identify support needs
Provide equipment
Plan reasonable adjustments
Key Message
People should be assessed fairly and accurately.
Support should be based on:
Real ability
Real needs
Real-life situations
Accessible communication (Easy Read) must be part of every stage.
PowerPoint: Who Needs This Training?
Slide 1: Title
Who Needs Easy Read and Assessment Training?
Slide 2: Why It Matters
Better communication
Better support
More independence
Slide 3: Social Services
Assess needs
Plan support
Slide 4: Support Workers
Daily support
Independence
Slide 5: Education
Tutors
Colleges
Universities
Slide 6: Career Support
Job coaches
Mentors
Slide 7: Advocacy
Speaking up
Rights
Slide 8: Mental Health
Counsellors
Therapists
Slide 9: Key Message
Everyone needs these skills
Quiz: Who Needs This Training?
Who needs Easy Read training?
A. Only doctors
B. Many professionals
C. Only teachers
Answer: B
What do support workers do?
A. Only paperwork
B. Help with daily life
Answer: B
True or False:
Only one job needs this training
Answer: False
Name one role:
Scenario:
A student does not understand their work.
Who could help?
Assessment Forms in Real-World Practice
Assessment forms are commonly used when an individual is first referred to or signs up for a service.
These forms are a key part of the intake process and help professionals understand a person’s needs, strengths, and required level of support.
Where These Forms Are Used
Assessment forms are used across many services, including:
Social services
Support work services
Colleges and education settings
Healthcare services
Mental health services
Housing and community support
Purpose of Assessment Forms
These forms are used to:
Understand what a person can do independently
Identify where support is needed
Assess risks and safety needs
Plan appropriate care or support
Allocate resources and funding
What Is Usually Included
Assessment forms often cover:
Daily Living Skills
Personal care
Cooking
Cleaning
Safety and Risk
Ability to use equipment safely
Awareness of danger
Communication
How the person understands information
Preferred communication style
Social and Emotional Needs
Mental health
Social interaction
Behavioural support
Mobility and Physical Health
Movement
Balance
Use of aids
Strengths and Difficulties Approach
Good assessments look at both:
What a person can do
What they need help with
This prevents a deficit-only approach and supports:
Confidence
Independence
Fair support planning
Common Issues in Practice
Although these forms are widely used, there can be problems:
Forms may be too complex
Not written in Easy Read format
Rushed assessments
Lack of person involvement
Over-reliance on tick-box answers
This can lead to inaccurate or unfair outcomes.
Importance of Accessible Assessments
To improve practice, assessments should:
Use Easy Read where needed
Involve the individual fully
Be completed at the person’s pace
Reflect real-life ability
Include input from families or support workers if appropriate
Link to Funding and Support
Assessment results are often used to:
Decide eligibility for services
Determine level of support
Allocate funding or benefits
This makes accuracy and fairness essential.
Key Message
Assessment forms are not just paperwork—they directly affect a person’s life.
Good practice means:
Being accurate
Being fair
Being accessible
Putting the person at the centre
Assessment Forms (Easy Read)
What are assessment forms?
Assessment forms are used when someone joins a service.
Why are they used?
They help understand:
What a person can do
What help they need
Where are they used?
Social services
College
Support workers
Health services
What do they ask about?
Daily life
Safety
Communication
Feelings
Movement
Problems
Sometimes forms are:
Too hard to understand
Too fast
Not explained properly
Good practice
Forms should:
Be clear
Use Easy Read
Include the person
Be done slowly
Key Message
Forms are important.
They decide:
Support
Help
Services
They must be fair and clear.
PowerPoint: Assessment Forms in Practice
Slide 1: Title
Assessment Forms in Services
Slide 2: What Are They?
Used when joining services
Help understand needs
Slide 3: Where Used
Social services
Colleges
Health services
Slide 4: What They Assess
Daily skills
Safety
Communication
Slide 5: Why Important
Plan support
Decide funding
Slide 6: Problems
Too complex
Not accessible
Rushed
Slide 7: Good Practice
Easy Read
Person-centred
Accurate
Slide 8: Key Message
Forms affect people’s lives
Quiz: Assessment Forms
When are forms used?
A. After support
B. At the start
Answer: B
What do forms help with?
A. Games
B. Understanding needs
Answer: B
True or False:
Forms are not important
Answer: False
Name one thing forms assess:
Scenario:
A person does not understand a form.
What should you do?
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