The Accessible Information Standard says that people who have a disability or sensory loss should get information in a way they can access and understand.
It also says that they should get support with communication if they need it.
The Accessible Information Standard tells organisations how they must do this.
The law says that all organisations that give NHS care or adult social care have to do what the Standard says. This is part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The Accessible Information Standard says that any organisation that gives NHS care or adult social care has to follow these five steps to make sure information is provided in the right way.
The Accessible Information Standard – what it means: https://youtu.be/ebj_LIP-4UY
We will:
- Ask: people if they have any communication needs or need to be given information in a certain way because of a disability or sensory loss and if so, what they are.
- Record: Make sure everyone’s needs are recorded in the same way and that they are clear and easy to understand.
- Alert/flag /highlight: Make it easy to see when a person has information or communication needs and how those needs can be met. This is so anyone who looks at their file can find this out.
- Share: Share the information with other providers of NHS care and adult social care. This should only happen if they are allowed to see it (and in line with existing information governance frameworks).
- Act: take steps to make sure that people get information in a way they can access and understand. They should also get support with communication if they need it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJngMo37WvA
During Disability History Month, we staged a discussion about how we can improve our approach to accessible information. You can watch the discussion below.
Accessible info standard: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/accessilbe-info-specification-v1-1.pdf
Accessible info standard easy read: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/access-info-stndrd-er-upd-jul16.pdf