United Response logo

United Response: Disability charity launches its website in easy read

United Response: Disability charity launches its website in easy read

The national disability charity, United Response, is launching a new version of its website today. Created in full easy read, with video translation on each page, United Response has set out to deliver a website, which is accessible to as many people with learning disabilities as possible.

Produced in collaboration with UR Consultants, a group of people with learning disabilities, who are experts in easy read translation, the website aims to provide an accessible route through which all people with learning disabilities can find out about the charity’s work and the services it provides.

The new version of the website is part of United Response’s wider commitment to accessibility and equality for people with learning disabilities. It is one of a growing number of easy read resources and translations produced by the charity.

Diane Lightfoot, United Response’s Director of Communications and Fundraising, said:

“As a charity which both campaigns with people with learning disabilities and provides support, it’s vital that people are able to access information about our work in a way which they find easy to understand.

“The introduction of personal budgets means that people with learning disabilities now have greater choice that ever before over the support they receive – and that’s great news. But people can only make a truly informed decision about their support, if information is available in a format which is relevant to their needs.”

Pete Le Grys, from Photosymbols, said:

“It’s great to see an organisation like United Response putting so much work into the important things; easy read information about voting and politics and managing your money, but also making a version of their website available in easy read too. It shows their commitment to making real change and working with the important stuff.”

The easy read version of United Response’s website can be accessed at http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/easy-read-main-menu/ . Each page is presented using words and pictures, with video translation provided by David, a man with learning disabilities who works for United Response.

Ends

For further information please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5237 or 0208 246 5122 or email jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk or sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk

Notes to editors:

United Response is community based, working in many localities across England and Wales. We are a top 100 national charity with a turnover of over £60 million, employing more than 2,500 staff and working with around 2,000 people at any one time.

We provide everything from 24 hour care to a few hours of support a week. Our support is always designed around each person because we know one size does not fit all. Some people may require minimal support; those with complex needs may require considerably more.

We plough our resources back into ensuring the quality of the support we provide, particularly in training, and have been shortlisted for ten major awards in three years, winning a National Training Award. We are pioneers in the areas of communications and inclusion, with particular expertise in communicating in a simple and accessible way. We have worked with the Government and many major financial services organisations on making politics and financial information understandable for people with learning disabilities.

To find out more about United Response’s work go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk

Sarah Bartlett

Press Manager

United Response

Vantage House, 1 Weir Road,

London SW19 8UX

Direct line: 0208 246 5237

Email: sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk

United Response is a national charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities.

To find out more, visit our website: http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk

Or follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/unitedresponse