The Easy Read Toolbox

The ACT Government election will be held on the 19th of October.

The Easy Read Toolbox has previously highlighted how challenging voting can be. With limited accessible resources, many people with disabilities struggle to vote accurately.

To help support the Canberra Government in developing accessible voting resources, The Easy Read Toolbox founder, Karen Hedley, is currently writing an Easy Read guide to voting in the ACT election coming up this year.

Karen started the practice while working at Advocacy for Inclusion, based in the ACT, but upon learning that their Easy Read writer had left, she decided to create one instead. The Easy Read team tries to do several pro-bono projects each year to increase the impact we make as a social enterprise.

The Easy Read voting document will be available before the end of September, so keep an eye out on our website and social media for your free guide to voting!

To enquire about our services, email [email protected]

Image Description: Text reads: Making information accessible for you! Visit our website to see our services.

Recently, The Easy Read Toolbox founder, Karen Hedley, has collaborated with multiple companies and individuals around the globe to form the International Easy Read Community of Practice. The collaboration aims to learn and support each other in developing high-quality Easy Read documents.

Each month, the team meets to discuss the topics that determine what makes Easy Read documents the gold standard.

Our next meeting will be on October 1st, where we will discuss reviewing documents with Easy Read users.

Leave us a comment below on what you think our next discussion topic should be.

Image Description: An illustration of the world map. Text reads: Have you heard: The International Easy Read Community of Practice will be meeting in October.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s report, ‘Help way earlier!’ – How Australia Can Transform Child Justice to Improve Safety and Wellbeing, delves into urgent reforms needed for the child justice system. This report highlights the voices of children, their families, and stakeholders, underscoring that crime committed by children is often a symptom of unmet needs, not a cause in itself.

To ensure this critical information reaches everyone, the Commission has provided the report in Easy Read format. Easy Read is a simplified version of the report that uses plain language, clear images, and a straightforward layout. It makes the content accessible to people with cognitive disabilities, young readers, and anyone who may struggle with dense, complex text.

Children and young people must be able to understand the issues that directly affect them. By making this report available in Easy Read, the Commission ensures that these young voices can engage with the information, understand the recommendations, and feel empowered to be part of the conversation about reforming child justice.

To access the article:
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/childrens-rights/publications/help-way-earlier

‘Help way earlier!’ – transforming child justice Read Help way earlier, a report by the National Children's Commissioner on how Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing.

With so many diverse hobbies worldwide, capturing clear and concise images of each one can be quite challenging.

The Easy Read Toolbox is dedicated to providing visuals that accurately convey the message you want to share.

That is why, for this example, we have provided two separate images and we want you to determine which one clearly shows knitting.
Leave us a comment with which one and why!

Image description: The image on the left is of a girl with knitting needles and yarn. The image on the right is an icon of hands making a knot with string. The Text reads: Toolbox thoughts, showing hobbies such as knitting. What does the image on the left show? Now compare it to the image on the right. Which would you choose to show knitting?

Today, we celebrate R U OK DAY!

R U OK? Aims to empower everyone to have meaningful conversations with the people around them who may be struggling with life.

Asking if someone is OK can be a challenging conversation. That’s why R U OK? provides a 4-step process to help support you:
1. Ask
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check-in

Remember, you don’t need to be an expert. Sometimes, you just need to be there and listen.

Image Description: Image 1 is a girl with her hand up surrounded by speech bubbles with the text ‘ask’, image 2 is an icon of a girl with her hand at her ear with the text ‘listen’, image 3 is an icon of a movie marker with the text ‘encourage action’ and image 4 is an icon of girls talking with each other with the text ‘check-in’. Caption reads: R U OK? DAY

To celebrate The Easy Read Toolbox’s 3rd birthday this September, we’re offering 10% off everything purchased on our website!

Simply enter the code BN596Q9XHB7U at the checkout and receive 10% off.

To see what we have to offer, scan our QR code or visit our website.
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/images/

For more more information:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/new-for-sale

Image description: An illustration of a present opening to reveal a QR code. The text reads: it’s our 3rd birthday. See what we have inside.

#10%Off

Much needed resource.

Screen Me: short film on cervical screening for people with disability [with audio description] Screen Me! encourages people with disability to do their cervical screening. The short film was made for and by people with disability.

People with disability are not inspirational just because they are disabled.

Why Paralympians don't want to be 'inspiration p**n' The Paralympics celebrate some of the most elite athletes in the world, but alongside the thrills and medals, social feeds are filled with "motivational" memes featuring athletes with disabilities, also known as "inspiration p**n".

Research highlights the challenges and opportunities in supporting people with learning disabilities, especially as they age. A recent study by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHCR), observed nine home and day services in England, considered among the best by commissioners, to assess the quality of care provided to people aged 40 years and older with learning disabilities. While many services supported independence and fostered strong relationships between staff and residents, they often fell short in adapting their approaches for older adults and planning for end-of-life care.

High-quality homes and day centres for adults with learning disabilities help individuals live on their own terms, fostering personal growth, meaningful relationships, and fulfilment of aspirations. However, the study underscores the need for more comprehensive support, particularly in areas like mobility, nutrition, exercise, and end-of-life planning as people age.

Strong relationships between service users and staff are essential, but the sector faces challenges like staff shortages and high turnover, which often lead to inadequate, inconsistent care. A more person-centred approach, including better staff training, is needed to address the evolving needs of older adults with learning disabilities.

Articles like this are vital for people with disability and their families. Without accessible information being made publicly available, individuals with disability are often left uninformed and deprived of their fundamental right to access essential knowledge.

To read the NIDCR article: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/what-help-do-people-with-learning-disabilities-need-as-they-get-older/

What help do people with learning disabilities need as they age? Research looked at what help home or day services in England provided for older adults with learning disabilities.

Looking for a way to simplify your healthcare images?

There are so many different healthcare services that it can often be challenging for patients to understand what options you are trying to present.

The Easy Read Toolbox knows how hard it can be to find or create the right image for an audience. That is why we’ve released a Healthcare Image Pack.

The pack contains images of physical checkups, attending appointments, medication and more.

These images are perfect for posters, flyers and any medical document that you can think of!

To purchase the image pack:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/product/Healthcare-Pack-Icons

Image Description: Illustrations of healthcare icons that include medicine, doctor notes and physical appointments. Text reads: Need to update your healthcare images?

It’s time we waved goodbye to winter for another year and embraced spring!

But spring brings along high pollen counts, resulting in hay fever.

Hay fever can be mistaken for the common cold in images. This can be confusing for people when they are trying to treat their symptoms.
In this example, we compare 2 images to identify how you can show what hay fever looks like.

Get in touch to check out our services: [email protected]

Image description: The image on the left is of a flower with a girl behind it sneezing into her hands. The image on the right is an icon sneezing into a tissue. The Text reads: Toolbox thoughts, hay fever season. What does the image on the left show? Now compare it to the image on the right. Which would you choose to show hay fever?

Planning for later stages in life can often be overwhelming and challenging for individuals and their loved ones.

This is why the NSW Government provides end of life information on their website. Also available in Easy Read format, it provides information and services on:
- Wills
- Estate planning
- Planning for the end of life

You should enjoy getting older without the hassle of legal obligations. This is why the NSW Government is dedicated to ensuring all your wishes and requests are supported and protected while your rights are treated with respect and dignity.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/trustee-guardian

NSW Trustee and Guardian Our purpose is to protect, promote and support the rights, dignity, choices and wishes of the people of NSW.

Within the last 10 years, healthy and unhealthy relationships have been an educational point for the general population.

However, when teaching what a healthy relationship looks like, messages can sometimes be miscommunicated or skewed if it isn't clearly discussed.

To help support discussions on healthy relationships, the Easy Read Toolbox has developed its relationship image pack. The pack comprises 11 illustrations and photos sharing a relationship’s love and joy.

To purchase our relationship pack:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/product/Relationships

Image Description: illustrations and pictures of different types of relationships. Text reads: come check out what’s in our relationship pack.

Easy Read is a simple way of writing that provides information that is easy to understand for people with low literacy levels.

With 44% of the Australian population unable to read past a primary school level, Easy Read is designed to be accessible to all. Easy Read is also beneficial for neurodivergent people, people with low vision and people with intellectual disabilities.

The Easy Read Toolbox provides services that help your business or organisation grow by catering to this underserved market.

See our website for Easy Read Examples:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/

Image description: A picture of what an Easy Read document looks like. Text Reads: What does Easy Read look like?

The Easy Read Toolbox is thrilled to share that the Australian Government is ASKING for your feedback about the Australia Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (ADS).

Currently, The Department of Social Services is reviewing the ADS to ensure everything is working as planned.

To support you in taking part, the Government has supplied a discussion paper, available in accessible formats that include Easy Read and Auslan summaries.

You can share your feedback by completing the ADS questionnaire, or you can email it to [email protected].

For more information and access to the questionnaire:
https://engage.dss.gov.au/ads-review/

Review of Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) | engage.dss.gov.au Review of Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) Open Closes in 16 days The Australian Government invites you to provide feedback about Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (also called ADS or the Strategy). ADS sets out our plan for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability ...

The Easy Read Toolbox is offering our alt text course……. FOR FREE!

All you have to do is subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Our newsletter keeps you up-to-date on all the behind-the-scenes action, any new Easy Read documents that have been released, and a first look into new image packs.

Subscribe to our newsletter through the link or QR code.
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/news-and-events

Image: An illustration of an open envelope and letter with a QR code and a message next to it:‘subscribe & receive our alt text course for free’. Text reads: Sign up to our newsletter today.

Let’s be real, how often are we caught off guard when it comes to voting day?

We often don’t realise it’s voting day until the day of or the day before, especially when it comes to Local Government elections.

The NSW Government has released its community education resources for voting this year, so you can prepare to vote this September.

The Government resource provides the following:
- Links to find where you can vote
- Early voting centres
- Access to 26 languages on how to vote
- Information if you need support when voting.

The NSW Local Government election will be held on Saturday, 14 September 2024.

Remember, voting is compulsory.

For more information on voting, see the link below.
https://elections.nsw.gov.au/voters/community-education-resources/2024-nsw-local-government-elections

2024 NSW Local Government elections community education resources We have developed a range of resources to help raise awareness about the election and support access to voting.

44% of Australians read at a primary school level or below.

This means your business is missing out on a large percentage of potential CUSTOMERS. Not having accessible information available for your consumers means you miss out on revenue growth, customer loyalty, and business opportunities with inclusive stakeholders.

Inclusive companies that use accessible resources have better revenue growth, higher levels of customer engagement and increased business opportunities.

The Easy Read Toolbox is offering its services to you and your team to help you become an inclusive business. Our meet-and-greet workshop will give you and your team the starting point in your accessible and inclusive communication journey.

For more information on our Meet and Greet:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august

*Ticket available here:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august/tickets

Image: The outline of a ticket. The text reads: Want to increase revenue? Accessibility is what you need. Toolbox August Meet and Greet. Monday 26th August, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Online event - via Microsoft Teams

It’s safe to say that most people will need to sign a contract at least once in their lives. Whether it’s for a job, renting a house, or other legal purposes, contracts are unavoidable.

However, it can be hard to communicate that a contract is needed or what it looks like. The Easy Read Toolbox is what you need to make your images clear and concise.

In this example, we compare 2 images to determine which image clearly shows a contract.

Get in touch to check out our services: [email protected]

Image: The Image is a document titled ‘contract’ with ‘signed’ on the bottom of the page with a pen. The image on the right is a document with lines. The Text reads: Toolbox thoughts, measuring made easy. What does the image on the left show? Now compare it to the image on the right. Which would you choose to show a contract?

Have you ever wondered how you can make your documents, reports, research findings or even make your business more inclusive and accessible?

The Easy Read Toolbox offers a range of services that can help fit inclusive and accessible needs. Our Meet and Greet workshop is the perfect start to see what it takes to become inclusive. Our workshop covers the basics of what Easy Read is and why we need inclusive communication.

Our Meet and Greet is the perfect opportunity for you, your team or anyone looking to start their inclusive journey today! It’s also the perfect way to answer any questions you have, learn practical techniques, and build a better understanding of inclusive writing.

For more information on our Meet and Greet:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august

*Ticket available here:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august/tickets

Image: The outline of a ticket. The text reads: Have you got your tickets? Toolbox August Meet and Greet. Monday 26th August, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Online event - via Microsoft Teams

Moving out on your own can be exciting but also a scary part of life. It’s the start of a new beginning, where you navigate the world of bills, grocery shopping, cooking, and many other daily activities.

However, independent living can often be a bigger challenge for people with disability. To help organisations clearly communicate the transition of moving out, The Easy Read Toolbox has released an independent living pack.

Our image pack is perfect for communicating daily routes, hygiene practices, mental health, physical health, booking appointments, doing household chores and more.

With 50 images, our image pack is created by people with disability, and your purchase helps our social enterprise provide meaningful employment to our artists, writers and admin.
We know just how hard it can be to adapt to independent living, hence why the Easy Read Toolbox has created our very own image pack to help support people with disability taking the first step.

To purchase our Independent Living pack:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/product/Independent-Living-Image-Pack

Image: Illustrations of someone slicing a banana, a toothpaste tube and hands washing dishes.Text: Independent Living Pack

Happy International Youth Day!

Question for our young readers and those who care for them - What information would be most helpful for you to have in Easy Read?

[Image description: portraits of 3 young disabled people (photos by Ladina Photography) on a rainbow background. Text: International Youth Day.]

Why not book your next cheeky getaway to Melbourne this August?

The City of Melbourne has much to offer in terms of accessible experiences. You can sightsee on the Yarra River Melbourne by an accessible water bike tour, see the city in a hot air balloon that uses Easy Access Baskets or even visit Melbourne Cable Park, which is now accessible to wheelchair users.

It would also be the perfect time to attend Getaboutable.com Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference (AITCAP).

AITCAP will host key speakers from Toursim Australia, Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Austrade, The Department of Jobs, Metro Trains Melbourne, City of Melbourne and many more as they discuss a variety of tourism insights that benefit accessible tourism.

For more information on Melbourne’s accessible activities or AITCAP, read our article here:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/accessible-adventures-for-a-melbourne-city-break

Image: A picture of the City of Melbourne with 2 wheelchair users. Text: The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference (AITCAP)

The Easy Read Toolbox is excited to share with you all our newest team member Akiko.

Akiko has joined our team as a Junior Toolbox Writer and ELSEY Project team member.

Akiko is a neurodivergent person who faces many challenges that impact her independent life skills. Her current focus is on moving out of her home country and developing the life skills and confidence for independent living.

“I am still on my journey to develop various life skills. I believe one of the main reasons I am very excited to join the Easy Read Toolbox and the ELSEY Project team is perhaps because the project will help me to develop various skills and confidence in independent living while I pursue my passion to share my lived experiences and lessons learned.
I cannot wait to start creating Easy Read information and other accessible resources for the ELSEY Project and beyond wherever my skills and experiences are called!” - Akiko

With Akiko’s lived experience, she will be a vital member of the Easy Read Toolbox Team. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for her.

Image: Meet our Newest Team Member: “I cannot wait to start creating Easy Read information and other accessible resources for the ELSEY Project and beyond wherever my skills and experiences are called!” - Akiko Junior Writer and ESLEY Project team member.

Struggling to find your feet when it comes to inclusive writing?

The Easy Read Toolbox is what you need to help on your journey to inclusive communication for all.

In the past, our workshops have successfully provided individuals with an improved understanding of what Easy Read is and why we need inclusive communication. We’ve also successfully developed confident Easy Read writers who can turn any document into Easy Read.

Our Meet and Greet is the perfect opportunity for you, your team or anyone looking to start their inclusive journey today! It’s also the perfect way to answer any questions you have, learn practical techniques, and build a better understanding of inclusive writing.

For more information on our Meet and Greet:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august

*Ticket available here:
https://events.humanitix.com/toolbox-meet-and-greet-august/tickets

Image: The outline of a ticket. The text reads: Don’t forget your tickets. Toolbox August Meet and Greet. Monday 26th August, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Online event - via Microsoft Teams

Trying to find the right way to show measuring cups can be hard. There are so many options that clearly show a measuring cup, to options that show just a cup with liquid in it.

Measuring cups can be used for things like cooking, science labs, art, and gardening. So, it’s important to use the right image to communicate your message clearly.

The Easy Read Toolbox is what you need to make your images clear and concise.

In this example, we highlight how pairing 2 images can help determine which image clearly shows a measuring cup.

Get in touch to check out our services: [email protected]

Image: The Image on the left is a measuring cup with clear measuring lines next to a ruler. The image on the right is a faintly drawn cup with small measuring lines. The Text reads: Toolbox thoughts, measuring made easy. What does the image on the left show? Now compare it to the image on the right. Which would you choose to show a measuring cup?

This July, the Easy Read Toolbox is excited to celebrate .month. With over 4 million Australians with a disability, it’s important that we give such a large community the recognition they deserve.

But Disability Pride Month isn’t just about celebrating disability as an identity. It’s about sharing the different journeys people with disability experience. It’s one of the ways the disability community unite to support one another.

The Easy Read Toolbox prides itself on its commitment and support to our disability community not only in July but all year round. We’re involved in multiple projects, from Easy Read documents to supporting disabled artists and photographers to our new passion project, ESLEY. All these projects help support the disability community by providing crucial resources as well as educating the general population.

For more on what the Toolbox does for the community:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/

Image: An illustration of wheelchair users, visually impaired, amputees and mobility aid users. Text: Disability Pride Month, sharing the different experiences of people with disability.

The Easy Read Toolbox is excited to announce that we will attend this year’s . The event is perfect for seeing, hearing and connecting with like-minded individuals and organisations.

The event will allow you to sample products, purchase gifts, and talk to and learn from dozens of social enterprises all in one spot.

The event will be held on August 3rd at UTS Business. With free entry to the family-friendly event, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

To grab your tickets for the festival:
https://events.humanitix.com/social-enterprise-festival-2024

We can’t wait to see you all.

Image: Picture of Karen and the Easy Read team. Text: We hope to see you at this year’s Social Enterprise Festival.

Do you sometimes find it challenging to show the message you’re trying to write or say?

The Easy Read Toolbox has already done the hard work for you. We know just how challenging it can be to find ways to communicate so that everyone can understand your message.

The Toolbox not only provides monthly image packs, but you can also access 1000+ accessible single images created by our talented artists and photographers through our membership.

Our gallery holds over 100 images that have been mainly created by disabled artists to give you an idea of what we have available. Our images can be used for Easy Read or Easy English or for any personal or business-related needs.

As the saying goes, “A picture speaks a thousand words”, so why focus all your communication on words?

To see more of our gallery or to subscribe, come check out our website:
https://www.easyreadtoolbox.info/gallery

Image: A picture of the sample images is available on the Easy Read website. Text: Looking for that one image that will make all the difference? Come check out our gallery.

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