Making information easier to understand
We create pictures and tools for Easy Read – accessible information designed with and for people with learning disabilities. Trusted by the NHS, charities, and organisations across the UK and internationally since 2003.
Trusted by organisations who put accessibility first
What is Easy Read?
Easy Read is a way of presenting information that's easier for people with learning disabilities to understand. It uses simple words, short sentences, and pictures to support the text. Under the Accessible Information Standard and equality legislation, many organisations have a duty to provide accessible formats – and Easy Read is one of the most effective ways to meet that duty.
A picture library like no other
Since 2003, Photosymbols has been the go-to image library for Easy Read. Thousands of pictures covering the topics that matter most to people with learning disabilities – designed without distraction, informed by our team of Expert Advisers, and trusted by the NHS, government departments, and self-advocacy groups across the UK.
Our images feature real people from the learning disability community, photographed with care and paid fairly for their work. No stock photos. No cartoons. No lazy AI stereotypes. Just authentic representation.
Create Easy Read documents with EasyMaker
Create Easy Read documents that meet accessibility standards – from scratch or by converting what you've already got. EasyMaker guides you through the process, checks your work for compliance, and lets you share in multiple formats: PDF, web, mobile, and audio.
For teams, EasyMaker becomes part of a shared system – with templates, draft handover, and a document library that keeps everyone working together instead of reinventing the wheel.
Learn from the people who shaped Easy Read
Our courses draw on two decades of experience creating accessible information – from the basics of clear writing to the finer points of layout and design.
Whether you're new to Easy Read or want to sharpen your skills, we'll help you create information people can actually use. Join over 1,000 people who've trained with us.
Created with the community, not just for them
Everything we do is shaped by people with learning disabilities. Our Expert Advisers meet with us regularly to guide our work. Our photo shoots feature actors from the community, paid fairly and treated with respect. It's called co-production – and it's been at the heart of Photosymbols since day one.
Meet some of our actors
Here are some of the people who've appeared in the Photosymbols library. Their faces help thousands of people understand important information every day.
What people say about us
Just to say – thank you. Again you quickly created or foregrounded images that supported people to understand and respond to recent events. You never fail to support us all.
— Sam, Learning Disability EnglandPhotosymbols is an invaluable resource for our charity. Their images are relatable, engaging, and we love that they are all created with genuine input from people with learning disabilities.
— Laura Kerr, People First DorsetWe use Photosymbols for all our meeting minutes, agendas and co-production project plans. We love that the images are easy to understand and feature people with disabilities, of different ages, from different backgrounds.
— Jill, Devon County Council