Easy read guidelines

About easy read

Easy read presents information in an accessible, easy to understand format. It’s helpful for some people with learning disabilities and beneficial for people with other conditions affecting how they process information. 

Easy read presents information as a combination of images and clear, understandable text.

Images are left-aligned on the page, with supporting text for each image. This image placement helps the reader understand what the written text says. 

Easy read is a global standard that comes under the right to accessible information.

Example of an easy read web page on gov.je

Easy read style

Easy read follows our government style guide but also has it's own specific guidance. 

This includes:

• write in very simple, plain English
• use a clear, readable, sans serif font, we recommend Mangal Pro for leaflets
  
• avoid italics, underline, bold and excessive capitals and punctuation
  
• use text size 14pt as a minimum
  
• provide information in clear sections and in the right order
  
• each section should focus on one main point
• use short headings to break up the information and group relative subjects

Easy read images

We use Photosymbols for our easy read images. They have over 10,000 images specifically for use in easy read products. The Web Services Team have a licence to access their catalogue of images. Get in touch at digital@gov.je if you need help sourcing images.

You can also use images of real places and real people, this helps our customers to recognise familiar places and faces and promotes trust and reassurance. We recommend using a photographer to capture these images for you. 

The images you use help people to understand the text that sits alongside them. They are not for decorative purposes, so they must be:

• good quality
• high resolution
• clear, with a simple background that is not too busy
• descriptive

Examples of good easy read images

How to make an easy read leaflet 

You can make an easy read leaflet by using our easy read template and following the style and advice given above.

Your easy read leaflet should be checked, tested and signed off before publish. 

If you're based in Health and Community Services, your easy read leaflet needs to go through a ratification process. Liaise with your senior manager to arrange this for you.

If you need assistance with sign off, contact digital@gov.je

How to make an easy read webpage

You can also create easy read webpages, like these:

• Example 1: Having a learning disability (easy read)
• Example 2: How to find the Adult Learning Disability Service (easy read)