The Accessible Information Standard: Making Information Truly Inclusive
In today’s world, good communication is at the heart of quality care. But for many people living with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss, accessing health and social care information isn’t always easy. That’s why the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) exists.
Introduced by NHS England in 2016, the AIS makes it a legal requirement for organisations that provide NHS care or publicly funded adult social care to ensure information is accessible to everyone.
Recently, NHS England published an updated version of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) – a document that sets out people’s rights to equal healthcare under the Equality Act.
The Standard sets out guidance on what the NHS and social care services must do to meet the information and communication support needs of people with a disability or sensory loss, including people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
For updated version follow the link https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/
What is the Accessible Information Standard?
The AIS sets out a clear framework to make sure that patients, service users, carers, and parents can:
- Receive information they can understand – whether that’s in large print, braille, easy-read, audio, or via email rather than letters.
- Get the communication support they need – such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, lip reader, or advocate at appointments.
In short, it’s about making sure no one is excluded from understanding their health and care.
Hearing Products International Ltd advocates that all GP practises, Hospitals, Dentists and other NHS service providers should actively support their hearing-impaired patients by providing Assistive Listening Devices such as Personal Listener or Loop System. We believe that our Echo MinitechT for one to one appointments, Echo MegaloopPro or Deskloop for reception desks would be a perfect solution to improve communication.
Who Does It Apply To?
The standard applies to all organisations that provide:
- NHS services (e.g., hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, pharmacies).
- Adult social care services funded by the local authority.
It also applies to independent or voluntary organisations if they are delivering NHS or publicly funded care.
Hearing Products International Ltd is one of the main UK providers of Assistive Listening Devices to those organisations.
The Five Key Steps of the AIS
To put the standard into practice, organisations must follow five steps:
- Ask – Identify if a person has information or communication needs.
- Record – Clearly note those needs in a standardised way.
- Flag – Highlight the needs on their file so staff know about them.
- Share – Communicate the needs with other providers (with consent).
- Meet – Provide information in the right format and support accordingly.
Why Does It Matter?
Accessible communication isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It is a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 and the Health and Social Care Act 2012. More importantly, it ensures:
- Safety – Misunderstanding medical information can lead to errors in treatment.
- Equality – Everyone has the right to be informed about their health and care.
- Dignity – Accessible communication promotes respect, independence, and inclusion.
What Does This Look Like in Practice?
- A deaf or hard of hearing patient being offered a BSL interpreter for their GP appointment or devices which would support them to communicate.
- A partially sighted person receiving hospital letters in large print or audio.
- Someone with a learning disability receiving an easy-read leaflet about their treatment options.
Final Thoughts
The Accessible Information Standard is a vital step towards ensuring health and care services are inclusive and equitable for all. But it’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about empowering people to take control of their health with confidence.
By making information accessible and communication supportive, we move closer to a healthcare system that truly leaves no one behind.
Any enquiry about our Assistive Listening Hearing Devices and how they help you and your patients to communicate? Please drop us an email to info@hear4you.com or give us call to 0161 4808003
