Make information clear, says Mencap

Benefit and tax offices are the worst offenders among organisations failing to produce information that is easy to understand for people with learning difficulties, according to a survey published today by Mencap.

Six out of ten people with learning difficulties say they receive unclear documents from government departments, banks, hospitals, and telephone, utility and transport companies.

The survey found that bus and train timetables or maps are the hardest to understand, followed by the small print on legal documents.

Over half of people with learning difficulties say they or someone they know has missed appointments or lost out financially because of confusing documents, according to the survey that covered England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jo Williams, Mencap’s chief executive said: “The findings show the extent of the problem. Everybody has difficulty understanding everyday documents, particularly people with a learning disability.

“We urge organisations to support Mencap’s Make it clear campaign by producing information in an easy to read format, with clear words and images for customers with a learning disability. This will help them take greater control of their own lives.”

The survey is published as part of Learning Disability Week, which runs from 18-25 June.