What is Easy English?
Easy English is a specific way of creating written content for adults with low literacy. In Australia, this is 44% of the adult Australian population. This does not include rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, nor people who live in institutions.
In other OECD countries it may be similar, such as Canada. In the UK it is 17.5 million adults, or almost 50% of their 16–65 years population. The US has 52% of adults, or currently 112 million adults who do not have the literacy to manage a range of day to day reading tasks.
Everyone should be able to access the information they need, in a way they can understand. It is also at the same time as other people get that content. The United Nationals Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD), Article 21 states this. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 19 also states this.
Easy English uses the audiences everyday words, in short sentences, with simple grammar. It is supported with concrete images. It has a specific layout which enhances the readability.
Interactive tasks within the text can help the reader gain further understanding of the information.
There are lots of examples on our website. These are updated regularly as new best practice Easy English comes available. www.accesseasyenglish.com.au
Cathy
Cathy Basterfield
www.accesseasyenglish.com.au
cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au
+61 0466 579 855.
