Making Easy Read Work: Why We Focus on Something Called Cognitive Load

At IC Works, we specialise in turning complex documents into Easy Read versions. These are designed to be clear, structured, and accessible for people with learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, or lower literacy levels.

But making something easier to read isn’t just about using simpler words. It’s also about dealing with something called cognitive load.

You might not have heard of cognitive load before. But once you understand what it is, you’ll see why it’s one of the biggest barriers to understanding information—and why managing it properly is the key to making Easy Read truly work.

What is Cognitive Load?

Cognitive load is the amount of mental effort needed to process information.

To understand this, imagine carrying a shopping bag:

• A light bag isn’t just easy to carry—you can safely forget it’s there: it doesn’t get in the way of walking, talking or thinking

• But if the bag is seriously heavy, you start struggling. You slow down. You can’t focus on anything else: it doesn’t just make carrying it harder. It overloads your brain.

The same thing happens with information:

• If the information is light and easy to process, people can take it in without stress or confusion

• If it is too much, too complex, or too unstructured, it becomes overwhelming. People struggle to understand, remember, or use it

This mental effort—the weight of the information on the brain—is called cognitive load.

For many people, especially those with learning disabilities, even a small increase in cognitive load can make a huge difference in whether they understand or not.

That’s why at IC-Works, we don’t just focus on using simple words. We focus on reducing cognitive load in every part of an Easy Read document.

How We Reduce Cognitive Load in Easy Read Documents

1. Co-Producing Documents With Experts by Experience

We believe lived experience is expertise. That’s why we work with:

• The client is commissioning the document to make sure we cover everything needed

• A panel of experts by experience—people who have personal experience of learning disabilities or cognitive challenges

They test and refine our work so that it is not just technically accessible but actually usable for the people who need it most

This helps us ensure that what looks clear on paper is actually clear.

2. Keeping Information Manageable

A heavy cognitive load often happens when there’s too much information at once. We reduce this by:

• Using short sentences with just one idea at a time

• Breaking paragraphs into small chunks so the page doesn’t feel overwhelming

• Presenting information step by step rather than all at once

For example, instead of writing this:

Too much at once:
If you want to apply, you need to fill in the form, attach your ID, and send it to us before the deadline

We write this instead:

Easier to process:

• To apply:

• Fill in the form

• Attach a copy of your ID

• Send it to us before the deadline

Same information, but it is easier for the brain to handle

3. Using Visuals to Support, Not Distract

Images are helpful—but only when used correctly. We make sure that:

• Every image is relevant to the text, helping to explain rather than just decorate

• Images are simple and clear, not overly detailed or confusing

• Each image is placed next to the text it relates to, so readers don’t have to search for meaning: even bullet points and tick boxes need their own individual images.

If an image doesn’t help reduce cognitive load, we don’t use it

4. Making Key Information Stand Out

When everything looks the same, nothing stands out. That’s why we:

• Use bold text for key points

• Separate essential information from extra details

• Use headings and bullet points to break things up

For example, if there is a deadline, we don’t bury it in a sentence. We make it clear:

Harder to find:
Your application must be submitted before Friday, 15th April at 5pm

Easy to see:

• Deadline: Friday, 15th April at 5pm

A small change, but it removes unnecessary effort from the reader’s brain

5. Using White Space for Clarity

A page that is too crowded makes it harder to read. To reduce cognitive load, we:

• Space out the text so it looks easy to read

• Avoid tiny fonts that strain the eyes

• Leave breathing room between sections so information doesn’t feel overwhelming

Even the best-written Easy Read document won’t work if it looks too difficult to get through

Why This Matters

Cognitive load isn’t something most people think about when they write a document. But for people with learning disabilities, it can make the difference between understanding or not understanding, between being included or being left out

At IC-Works, we don’t just translate complex words into simple ones. We design information for the brain—reducing cognitive load so people can understand, remember, and use what they read

If you want your documents to be truly accessible, we’re here to help

Get in touch with IC Works today to see how we can transform your documents into Easy Read that works.