October is upon us, and September flew by at Easy Read Online, filled with many projects and events that kept us busy throughout the month!
Spotlight project
This month, we were once again commissioned to translate the United Nations (UN) annual Disability Inclusion Strategy Progress Report. Launched in 2019, the UN's Disability Inclusion Strategy outlines key policies and action plans aimed at making the organisation fully inclusive of disabled people —both within its own operations and across its global programs. The annual progress reports track the strategy’s implementation, identifying successes and areas for improvement.
Publishing these reports in Easy Read is important, as it ensures that disabled people can access and understand a strategy that directly impacts their lives. By sharing these reports in Easy Read, the UN embodies the essence of the strategy - inclusion.
Additionally, we are translating the Easy Read version into five languages—French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic—showing a commitment to inclusivity on a global scale.
Easy Read standards
We are also excited to announce our participation in a new working group, which has been set up to establish official Easy Read standards for the UK. Disability Equality Scotland facilitates the group’s meetings and brings together a range of leading Easy Read specialists from around the UK.
The first meeting provided a platform for members to discuss current issues in the absence of recognised standards and to begin developing clearer requirements for Easy Read production, ensuring that all materials are fit for purpose.
Document checking service
Do you create your own Easy Read materials? At Easy Read Online, we offer a quality assurance service to check your work meets Easy Read guidelines and principles. This month, we've provided this service to several clients, offering detailed feedback to help them refine the accessibility of their documents. Our quality assurance service not only ensures that their materials are fit for purpose but also improves the overall quality of their future Easy Read documents.
If you are interested in our quality assurance service, please get in touch via our website: www.easy-read-online.co.uk
I Need Easy Read campaign
The I Need Easy Read campaign continues to gain momentum. On September 25th, we held another campaign meeting, which featured a surprise visit from Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Mencap Society. During the meeting, we discussed upcoming events and next steps, with a focus on perfecting the I Need Easy Read materials for businesses and services that provide information in Easy Read.
One key resource we looked at is a poster that businesses can display on their premises or share on social media, saying “We offer Easy Read”. This not only encourages disabled people to request Easy Read materials but also raises awareness among those who may not yet be familiar with it.
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