At Photosymbols we believe accessible information should never be an afterthought. Too often Easy Read is created too late or not at all, leaving people with learning disabilities without the information they need at the right time.
That’s why we’re launching EasyMaker - a groundbreaking system that uses AI to turn complex information into Easy Read instantly, making it shorter, clearer, and supported with images.
But here’s the crucial part - we’re not building this alone.
Technology Shouldn’t Leave People Behind
AI is advancing rapidly, but accessibility is often overlooked. When new technologies emerge, people with learning disabilities are rarely invited to the table. Their expertise is ignored and the result is often a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that doesn’t work for everyone.
With EasyMaker we are putting co-production at the heart of AI development. Instead of designing behind closed doors, we’re working directly with self-advocacy groups to ensure that Easy Read is built into the system the right way from the very start.
How People Are Helping Us Teach EasyMaker
Self-advocacy groups across the UK are taking part in a series of sessions where they share their expertise. They are telling us:
✔ What makes Easy Read work well - from sentence length to preferred words and images
✔ What doesn’t work - what makes information confusing or inaccessible
✔ How AI can do a better job - helping shape the technology so that it understands real-world needs
People's knowledge is essential. Every idea they share helps us train EasyMaker, ensuring it creates Easy Read that is useful, effective, and truly accessible.
More Than Just a Document – A Complete Easy Read Bundle
EasyMaker doesn’t just create traditional Easy Read documents. Yes, it produces high-quality PDFs, but it also goes further generating:
✅ A web page version - instantly accessible on any device
✅ A mobile-friendly version - formatted for easy reading on smartphones
✅ A spoken audio version - so people can listen instead of read
All of these formats are bundled together and shared instantly with a simple link - removing the barriers of slow, paper-based Easy Read and making information available when it’s needed most.
Why This Matters
For many organisations the demand for accessible information is growing. But creating Easy Read takes time - and too often information arrives late.
With EasyMaker organisations can be more responsive. Imagine:
📌 A GP surgery providing an Easy Read summary of a diagnosis at the time of an appointment
📌 A housing provider sharing urgent updates in an Easy Read format instantly
📌 A charity making sure every service user gets clear, accessible information without delays
This isn’t about replacing the gold standard of co-produced Easy Read - it’s about filling the gap, ensuring that nobody is left behind.
Want to Get Involved?
We’re still looking for more self-advocacy groups to take part in this groundbreaking work. If your group is interested in helping shape EasyMaker, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Contact us to find out more
Together we can build a future where Easy Read isn’t just available - it’s available when it matters most.
And for everyone else, watch this space - we’ll be revealing more about EasyMaker in the coming weeks.
