Raising Awareness Through Campaigns: Why Accessibility and Easy Read Matter

Cara
Oct 15
3 min read

Our calendars are full of awareness days, weeks and campaigns that highlight important issues and encourage people to think differently. For disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, these campaigns are a chance to make sure their voices are heard and that information is accessible to everyone.

Illustration of a group of diverse people with different disabilities.

What is “Awareness”?

Awareness is about helping people understand things they may not have experienced themselves. It means talking openly, challenging assumptions, and encouraging others to listen and learn.

For people who face barriers, such as those with learning disabilities, awareness helps build understanding, empathy and inclusion. It also reminds us that information should be clear and accessible to everyone.

Raising awareness makes it easier for people to be informed, make choices and feel part of society. Using Easy Read is one practical and effective way to do this, ensuring that everyone can take part in conversations and decisions that affect their lives.

How can people raise awareness?

Illustration of a middle-aged woman holding up a sign that says 'disability rights!'

Awareness campaigns offer a platform to shine a light on something important, whether that’s a health issue, social concern, ethical topic or environmental cause.

These campaigns usually take place on a specific day, week or month and are designed to educate the public and inspire action. By joining in, organisations can help amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Simple steps such as sharing resources, hosting events, or creating accessible materials (including Easy Read versions) can make a big difference.

Why awareness campaigns matter

Awareness campaigns help draw attention to people and issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. They:

Highlight topics that are invisible or misunderstood, such as accessibility or communication barriers.
Encourage conversation, bringing these subjects into schools, workplaces and the media.
Inspire action, prompting organisations to review their own practices, develop accessible materials, and commit to meaningful change.
Provide resources, such as toolkits or guidelines, often including Easy Read versions, that make participation easier for everyone.
Empower communities, giving those most affected the opportunity to share their stories and shape how they are represented.

Illustration of a group of diverse women.

Why awareness is vital for the disabled community

For people with disabilities, particularly those who need support with communication, comprehension or processing, awareness isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Without broad public awareness:

Information and services are often shared in formats that are inaccessible to people with learning disabilities or cognitive differences.
Exclusion becomes normalised, and people are left out of key conversations and decisions.
Barriers build up across areas like health, social care, employment, and access to rights and services.

When awareness campaigns include a focus on accessible communication, such as Easy Read, they send a clear message: Everyone deserves to understand and everyone deserves to be included.

By making accessibility part of awareness, we can ensure that inclusion is not just talked about, but put into practice.

How we can help

At Easy Read Online, we create Easy Read materials that make information clear, accessible and inclusive. Whether you’re planning an awareness day, developing campaign resources, or improving your everyday communications, Easy Read can help ensure everyone can take part and feel represented.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your next awareness campaign and help you make inclusion part of every message.

Click here to get a quote!

Directory and resources

Please find a (non-exhaustive) directory of UK and international awareness days related to disability, particularly learning disability, to help you plan your next campaign and get involved.