NSW leads the nation on accessible government information

The NSW Government has announced the completion of its Easy Read election commitment, making essential government information easier to understand with simplified language, large font sizes and images.

The Easy Read initiative aims to be useful for the more than 150,000 people with intellectual disability in NSW, and also benefit people with low literacy and those whose first language is not English.

Easy Read resources on the NSW Government website cover topics like emergency services, fines and fees, housing and transport. The NSW Government has been working with the Council for Intellectual Disability and other stakeholders to collaborate and deliver on its commitment to inclusive government information.

The approach has been recognised at the Australian Access Awards. Last year, the NSW Government won ‘Website of the Year’ and ‘Government Website of the Year’, and the coveted ‘Accessibility Initiative of the Year’ award was taken out by the Department of Communities and Justice’s Accessibility Studio located in Parramatta.

The Accessibility Studio is designed to test communication and address accessibility barriers before government services are launched. Staff use new technology and specialists to check ease of access for people with low vision, low English proficiency, and other accessibility needs.

The government has committed to ongoing expansion of information available in Easy Read through the state’s new four-year Disability Inclusion Plan. Making digital services accessible, inclusive and connected for everyone in NSW is also a key outcome of the NSW Digital Strategy.

“Digital inclusion is about more than just making sure people have internet access — it’s about making sure nobody is left behind while we all navigate an increasingly digital world,” said Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib. “Essential government information should be accessible for everyone. Easy Read is about making sure more people can understand the services, support and opportunities available to them.

“People across NSW can now more easily understand how to access information which can help them with things like going to hospital or applying for TAFE, as well as how to make informed decisions in their everyday life, whether it be catching a bus or responding to a fine.”

“Easy Read makes information accessible to everyone. It removes unnecessary barriers so people can understand, engage and make informed decisions. When information is clear, people with intellectual disability are included and heard,” said Council for Intellectual Disability CEO Heath Dickens. “CID has worked closely with the Department of Communities and Justice and other NSW Government agencies to ensure people with intellectual disability can access and understand important information. We acknowledge and are encouraged by the work the NSW Government is doing to build foundations for a more inclusive community.”

Image credit: iStock.com/narvo vexar