The Easy Read Project Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Easy Read Project. Participation in healthcare: an investigation into the accessibility value of health-based literature for people with poor literacy skills associated with intellectual disability
IRAS ID
133136
Contact name
Susan E Buell
Contact email
Research summary
Many adults with learning disabilities (LD) have lower reading skills than others of their age who do not have learning difficulties. The average reading age of this population is equivalent to early primary school level. This could be the result of several factors. Children and young people with LD demonstrate a wide variety of educational experience. Some adults with LD also find reading challenging due to difficulties with language and related cognitive skills. Regardless of low literacy levels, adults with LD are encouraged to become increasingly independent.‘Easy read’ leaflets can be found in most clinics and hospitals, and the internet provides access to these on a national level. However, very little research has been carried out to establish what makes this literature ‘easier to read’ than other literature and the role of human support in facilitating understanding. There is little evidence base for the effectiveness of ’easy read’ literature in constructing meaningful information for people’s lives. The MENCAP Report ‘Death by Indifference’(2007)emphasises the importance of improving channels of communication, for managing health.
This study aims to investigate the accessibility value of ‘easy read’ documents produced by the Department of Health (DoH) from 2000 to 2012. The first stage has involved a linguistic analysis of text from the ‘easy read’ material found on the DoH website and archives. In the second stage texts will be presented to participants under one of 4 conditions; 2 with reading support and 2 without reading support.
Outcomes will show the level of reading comprehension and understanding achieved using different levels of adapted script with and without active human support. The evidence gathered from this research will inform principles for guidelines in the production, design and use of ‘easy read’ literature for people with LD, with particular emphasis on understanding health based information.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0474
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion