The importance of accessible information - Marnie's story
Marnie is from Harrogate and is blind. Her preferred format is braille, but she is able to access email and some documents thanks to her Brailliant, a braille keyboard which can translate text into braille and vice versa.
Unfortunately, Marnie’s GP, social worker and dentist all send printed letters.
Marnie is really clear about how people should send information:
"I need information in the body of the email or in a Word document. I cannot access pdfs.
"If pictures are included, they need a caption/description to explain what the photo is showing. Wording should also be in Plain English.
"Information should be in accessible formats. Then I won't miss any appointments. Excuses about cost are not good enough and that if it is difficult, it does not matter. People need information in the right format for them."
“I want information in my preferred format so I can understand what it says and no-one has to explain it to me.
A call for action
By listening to feedback and acting, healthcare providers can significantly improve the accessibility of information. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their communication needs, can receive the support and information they need to manage their health effectively.
