27 January 2023
Easy read website launched
A new website transforming how adults with learning disabilities access information on gov.je is available.
The Adult Learning Disability Service site has been built along with users of the service. It improves how information is presented and makes it easy to understand.
The project hopes to help Islanders
with learning disabilities who struggle with complex information on gov.je and need help to
understand it.
About easy read
The Adult Learning Disability Team has worked with the Government of Jersey Web Services
Team and their service users to create a site which delivers information in an “easy read” format.
Easy read is a global standard and is useful for people with learning disabilities
and those with other conditions affecting how they process information. It presents information as
a combination of images and clear, understandable text.
When asked what he thinks about the new website which he helped design, service user Harvey
said: “Gobsmacked! Can’t wait to show my friends and family.”
Robert Gardner, Head of Learning Disability Services in Adult Social Care in Health and Community
Services, said: "I am immensely proud of what has been delivered as a new website for the Learning
Disability Service, but also in the way it has been designed and delivered in terms of service user
and provider involvement at every stage.
"The development of this website is significant in terms of its design and its robust testing by
individuals with a learning disability, parents, carers and key stakeholders who ensured that with
proper consideration, we have developed a more inclusive website that works for all users than was
previously designed."
Rosalind Angier, Lead Speech and Language Therapist at Health and Community Services, said:
"Developing this website has been a labour of love for everyone involved, but we have learned so
much. It is brilliant that it is now ‘live’ and we are very grateful to everyone that helped and
supported us along the way. We couldn’t have done it without you! I am proud that we are moving
towards greater communication inclusivity."
Aimee Harris, Alternative and Augmentative Communication Officer, said: "It feels such a huge
achievement for this website to now be ‘live’. Every small detail has undergone extensive research
and we have been in constant consultation with our clients throughout this process. Some of our
clients are able to access the website independently, some with various levels of support and for
some it might be using the resources available. Our hope is that it opens the doors for anybody
requiring alternative communication. I would like to say a big thank you to Charlene Brown from
the Web Services Team for her dedication and support in creating this website.”
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Karen Wilson, said: “Everyone has the right to
receive really good information in a way in which they can understand. This is a fantastic website
and I would like to congratulate all of those who have been involved in its look, feel and content.”
Check out the new site at: www.gov.je/AdultLearningDisability
Read more about it in our blog: Easy read: building accessible and inclusive services in government