Meeting the Accessible Information Standard

NHS and other publicly funded adult social care providers are required to meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS). Service providers must demonstrate that those who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss receive information in a format that they can understand and that they have the support they need to communicate effectively. This could include the use of braille, signs and symbols, hearing loops, Makaton or British Sign Language.

What Are The Five Stages Of The AIS:

1. Identify a person’s communication needs.
2. Record these needs in a clear and consistent way.
3. Highlight recorded needs so that they are highly visible.
4. Share this information with others involved in their care and treatment.
5. Meet the person’s communication needs.

In social care settings, the AIS should form part of the assessment, care planning and review process.

How To Find Out About Communication Needs

• Making registration forms available in different formats and including questions about communication needs.
• Adding a section to letters and leaflets asking patients/service users about their communication needs.
• Displaying posters and information in different formats requesting patients/service users inform them of any communication needs.

View the Guidance of AIS implementation.