If you’ve ever tried to make a piece of information truly clear for someone with cognitive or language processing challenges, you’ll know it’s not as simple as ‘making it shorter’ or ‘using plain English’.

When organizations create Easy Read documents, they often assume that simply simplifying the text—shorter sentences, clearer words, and added images—makes the information accessible. But time and time again, we see well-meaning attempts at simplification that still confuse people. Why?

When people think of Easy Read documents, they often assume they should be childlike, as if simplifying language automatically means simplifying the reader. But here’s the reality: Easy Read is for adults; the topics covered in Easy Read are for adults; people reading Easy Read deserve to be treated as adults.

At IC Works, we know that Easy Read documents should be clear, accessible, and respectful. But too often, Easy Read materials rely on cartoonish imagery and child-like design choices—a style that many assume is necessary but can actually feel patronising to the adults who rely on these documents.

It's been a busy month or so at Easy Read Towers with Easy Read projects for Hillingdon Council and West Berkshire Council.

Working with Jayne Carter and her daughter Nikki. we produced an Easy Read version of several tender documents.