Accessible Information Standard impact report

Since 1 August 2016, the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) has been in place. The AIS aims to make sure that disabled people get information in a way that they can access and understand.

Healthwatch South Gloucestershire wanted to understand the impact that the legislation had had on people’s experiences of using local health and social care services over the last 12 months. During this work, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire reached 70 people and received 39 survey responses.

72% of respondents reported not having heard of the legislation, of whom half had a disability, impairment or sensory loss. In general Healthwatch found staff have good knowledge of the need to support people with communications needs, however they are not always aware of the AIS or its requirements on how they operate.

Example of good practice shared

During two visits to the Royal United Hospital Bath, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire observed positive work being done to improve accessibility for patients within the Audiology and Ophthalmology departments; Signage in large print and colours appropriate for patients with additional accessibility needs; posters prompting patients to share their communication needs with staff; provision of a range of information about support services.

Healthwatch South Gloucestershire and The Hive Avon have partnered to deliver a project called Hivewatch, funded by South Gloucestershire’s Learning Difficulties Partnership Board. Five volunteers, all of whom have learning disabilities, have been trained to carry out visits to health and social care settings to observe the care being provided, gather feedback from service users and consider the accessibility of services for people with learning disabilities.