Accessible Information Standard

It is a legal duty for NHS organisations, including GP Practices, to comply with NHS England's Accessible Information Standard.

The standard ensures that patients, and where appropriate, parents/carers who have information or communication needs relating to a disability, impairment or sensory loss receive information in formats they can understand - as well as appropriate support to help them communicate.

It is of a particular relevance to people who are blind, deaf, deafblind or have a learning disability, although it should support anyone with information or communication needs, for example people with aphasia, autism or a mental health conditions which affects their ability to communicate.

Please click here for a supporting Easy Read document (PDF, 4.98KB).

Click here for an information poster (PDF, 205KB).

AbilityNet

http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/

Information, factsheets and step-by-step guides on approaches and technology to help disabled computer users. AbilityNet has useful links to UK organisations on their website, including literacy-related organisations and specialist IT suppliers.

Directgov- Disabled people

https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities

The Government's one-stop directory of public services relating to disability.

Disability Now

http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/

Online edition of the magazine for people with disabilities

W3C – Web Accessibility Initiative

http://www.w3.org/WAI/

The WAI works with a variety of organisations to develop strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the web accessible.

Vision-related web links

British Computer Association of the Blind

https://www.bcab.org.uk/

A self-help group of visually impaired computer professionals and users.

Royal National Institute of the Blind

http://www.rnib.org.uk/

Information on all aspects of vision impairment, including computer access and other technologies. The RNIB's Useful links page has a comprehensive list of UK vision-related technology and standards resources.

Hearing-related web links

Action on Hearing Loss

http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/

The website of the rebranded Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has information and resources for deaf and hard of hearing people.

British Deaf Association

http://www.bda.org.uk/

News, information on British Sign Language, and other resources on the website of the organisation run by deaf people for deaf people.

BSL Academy

http://bslonline.org.uk/

The BDA's initiative to train and improve the quality of BSL (British Sign Language) teachers and to increase BSL awareness.

Deafax

http://www.deafax.org/

The website of the charity that applies communications technology to create deaf-friendly resources, notably Viewtalk, which allows users to watch and upload video blogs and messages, and has training films for improving BSL vocabulary.

European Union of the Deaf

http://www.eud.eu/

The EUD is a pan-European non-profit making organisation representing the interests of deaf Europeans.

Deaf Studies Trust

http://www.deafstudiestrust.org/

The Deaf Studies Trust (DST) is a national charity set up for the benefit of the Deaf community in the UK. It aims to apply research-based knowledge to practical issues for Deaf children and adults. It works also with hard of hearing adults.