At IC Works, we work with organisations that care about accessibility. More often than not, those organisations have already made real efforts — step-free entrances, ramps, handrails, accessible toilets, and clear routes through public spaces. The physical side of accessibility is on the agenda. And rightly so.

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

Most of us don’t think twice about reading. We skim news articles, check emails, and follow instructions without struggling.

But for millions of people, reading is exhausting, frustrating, or downright impossible.

Not too long ago, the idea of universal accessibility—where information is truly available to everyone, regardless of ability—felt like a distant dream.

For much of history, public information displays were simply inaccessible to the deaf or blind, and even dedicated accessibility solutions—like braille, easy read formats, and audio recordings—only addressed specific needs in isolation.

At IC Works, we know that Easy Read documents should be clear, accessible, and respectful. But too often, Easy Read materials rely on cartoonish imagery and child-like design choices—a style that many assume is necessary but can actually feel patronising to the adults who rely on these documents.

Moving into the shorter months we thought we'd recap on some Easy Read escapades over the last few months in our autumn 2013 update.

We were recently asked by Centro, the West Midlands public transport provider, to produce a print-ready Easy Read application form for their Disability Pass.

Working with Jayne Carter and her daughter Nikki. we produced an Easy Read version of several tender documents.

I was interested to see that United Response launched an Easy Read 'newspaper', "Easy News" with the support of the National Lottery at the House of Commons on Wednesday 24 January 2013.