Why Co-Production Matters in Easy Read and how IC Works does it differently

Co-production is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the world of Easy Read document creation. Many services claim to involve ‘experts by experience’—people with lived experience of learning difficulties, autism, or language comprehension challenges—but often, their role is limited to checking pre-prepared documents rather than shaping them from the start.

At ic-works, we believe this approach isn’t true co-production—it’s more like a final proofreading step. Our process is different, and we’re proud to say that we co-produce Easy Read documents in the truest sense of the word.

Beyond ‘Just Checking’ – The IC Works Difference

In many Easy Read services, the involvement of people with lived experience is limited to reviewing a nearly finished document. Typically, a single ‘checker’ is brought in to give feedback on an already simplified text and its accompanying images. Shaun Webster MBE, one of ic-works’ expert panel members, has worked as a ‘checker’ for other services and knows firsthand how limited this approach can be.

Shaun raises an important question: Can it be called co-production if there’s no panel discussion, workshop process, or active involvement in crafting the document? At IC Works, we don’t think so.

That’s why our Easy Read document creation process is built around workshops where real collaboration happens.

How IC Works Co-Produces Easy Read Documents

Our co-production workshops bring together:

• A panel of experts by experience

• IC Works staff

• Sometimes, representatives from the client commissioning the document

The process starts with a draft Easy Read version, which ic-works staff have prepared by breaking down text and pairing it with sample images. But this draft is just a starting point, not a final product.

Step-by-Step Co-Production

1. Live Reading & Understanding
   Every single sentence from the draft document is read aloud by an expert panel member during a Zoom session. The rest of the panel listens and considers whether they fully understand what’s being said.

2. Rewriting in Real Time
   The experts are asked to explain, in their own words, what the sentence means to them. If their interpretation doesn’t match what the ic-works staff or client intended, a discussion follows to clarify and refine the wording together.

3. Language Matters
   Experts call out words or phrases they find unclear, confusing, or patronising. These are rewritten on the spot, with everyone in the workshop contributing ideas and seeing changes happen in real time.

4. Finding the Right Images
   Selecting the right images is just as important as the words. If the panel feels an image doesn’t work, they collectively browse through a stock image library to choose a better one—by consensus.

5. Lively Debates, Real Results
   The process can be intense, with lively debates and disagreements before a final version is agreed upon. But this back-and-forth discussion is exactly what makes the final document genuinely co-produced rather than simply ‘checked’.

Why This Matters

The ic-works approach isn’t just about making Easy Read documents—it’s about making them better. The collaborative nature of our workshops means the end result is a document that:

• Truly reflects the needs and perspectives of people who will use it

• Avoids language that is unclear, confusing, or patronising

• Includes imagery that enhances understanding rather than causing further confusion

Co-production isn’t a buzzword at IC Works—it’s a fundamental part of how we work. That’s why we don’t just check Easy Read documents—we co-produce them from start to finish.

If you want Easy Read materials that truly meet the needs of your audience, get in touch with us. Because co-production, done properly, makes all the difference.