Accessible Information Standard

About Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was introduced by the government in 2016 to make sure that people with a disability or sensory loss are given information in a way they can understand.

It is now the law for the NHS and adult social care services to comply with AIS. Find out more about AIS below, or download our easy read guide about it.

What is the aim of the standard?

The standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss are provided with information that they can easily read or understand, and with support, so they can communicate easily with health and social care services.

This should lead to improved outcomes and experiences, and safer, better services.

The Standard is there to help NHS and adult social care services to improve, so they can better meet the communication and support needs of disabled people.

Who has to follow the standard?

All organisations that offer NHS or Adult Social Care must now follow the Accessible Information Standard by law. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies and social workers.

How does the standard work?

If you have a learning disability it means that NHS or Adult Social Care services need to:

1. Find out your communication and information needs
2. Record these communication and information needs clearly and consistently on your record
3. Flag these needs, so when a member of staff opens your record it is really clear what your communication or information needs are
4. Share your information and communication needs when needed, for example if they are referring you to another service.
5. Meet the information and communication needs identified. For example, offering you easy read information or making sure there is someone there to support you with communication.

How do I make the website accessible?

Our website pages are designed so that you can change the style, size and colour of the font used, as well as the background colour. If you wish to do so, please click here

What should I do next?

It is really important that everyone learns about their rights in the standard, to make sure they are getting the right service.

People are still learning about the standard so it is important to remind services what they need to do.

The NHS has created an easy read guide so you can find out more, and you can use the communication tool below to tell people what your needs are.
See our easy read guide to getting information you can understand from health and social care services

Download PDF

Further resources

• CHANGE has produced a communication card which you can use to share your communication needs, which can be downloaded from their website here
• NHS England - more information about accessible information