Accessible communication · 2016

Accessible Information Standard

NHS and adult social care services had duties around accessible communication.

Information is not accessible if the person cannot receive it in a usable way.

Simple version

The Accessible Information Standard requires NHS and adult social care organisations in England to identify, record, flag, share and meet information and communication needs of disabled people, where applicable.

Why it matters

This matters because communication access is not a small detail. Without accessible information, people cannot understand choices, appointments, treatment, risk or rights.

Awareverse lens

Awareverse treats communication as access. If the format blocks the person, the service has not really communicated.

Common mistake

A common mistake is thinking sending information is the same as making it accessible.

Question to ask

Who had power here, who was left outside, and what would have changed if the human being was seen first?

Connected topics

These deep dives open out from this part of the timeline.