Easy Read Needs a London Voice — Why Generic Accessibility Doesn’t Work
In the heart of London, millions of lives intersect every day, each navigating a unique and bustling urban landscape.
For London's authorities and organisations, making information accessible isn’t just a regulatory necessity; it's a fundamental part of connecting with this vibrant, diverse community.
You may already be using Easy Read to make your documents clearer, but what if your good intentions are falling short? What if the words and images you use, while simple in theory, don't quite reflect the lived reality of the people you're trying to reach?
The Context Gap: Where Generic Accessibility Falls Short
An Easy Read document created in a different part of the country might use an image of a generic bus, a quiet park, or a town hall. While helpful, these visuals lack the specific context that makes information instantly relatable for a Londoner.
Daily life in London is defined by its unique landmarks, its iconic transport network, its cultural diversity, and its specific rhythm.
An Easy Read guide for accessing services, which uses a generic picture of a bus, might work elsewhere, but it misses a crucial opportunity to connect with a Londoner who sees a bus or tube station every day. This gap between generic and specific is where accessibility can lose its power.
The IC Works London Advantage: Lived Experience in the Capital
At IC Works, we understand that true accessibility is not one-size-fits-all. We are proud to offer a unique asset to our London-based clients: our panel of experts includes those with direct, personal lived experience of daily life in London.
This isn't just about understanding the principles of Easy Read; it's about making sure your documents resonate on a local level. Our experts draw upon their own personal lived experience of navigating a big, busy city to ensure that the words and pictures we use reflect the reality of real Londoners who struggle to understand written information.
How this Works in Practice: Local Insight, Genuine Connection
This lived experience offers a level of insight that traditional accessibility reviews can't match:
Relatable Imagery: Instead of a generic picture of a council building, we might suggest using an image of a specific London borough's office. An image of the London Underground map or a familiar street sign instantly makes the information feel more relevant and trustworthy.
Context-Specific Language: Our experts can identify language that may be confusing and replace it with phrases more familiar to Londoners, reflecting the way services are discussed and accessed within the city.
Understanding Unique Challenges: They can spot ambiguities or missing information related to London-specific issues, such as navigating a complex transport network or understanding the diversity of local communities, and suggest practical, actionable solutions.
By ensuring your Easy Read documents reflect the lived experience of Londoners, you're not just communicating; you're building a stronger, more trusting relationship with your community.
The Ultimate Level of Accessibility: Cognitive and Contextual
This local expertise is the ultimate extension of our commitment to addressing the ‘Cinderella aspect’ of accessibility.
We're not just bridging the cognitive gap; we're bridging the contextual gap. We are helping you to ensure that your message is not only easy to read, but also culturally and contextually relevant to the lives of those you serve.
For London authorities and organisations, this local insight is a powerful asset. It demonstrates that you don't just understand the need for accessible information in principle, but that you have a genuine, on-the-ground understanding of your community.
Is your organisation based in London? Do your Easy Read documents truly reflect the city you serve?
Contact IC Works today to learn how our panel of experts by experience, with their unique insights into London life, can transform your communications and build stronger connections with your local community.