Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a law to ensure that all NHS Trusts offer reasonable adjustments to assist people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss so they are given information they can easily read and understand. This applies to communication during an appointment and information that we provide to take away.

The standard requires us to take the following actions to ensure that people using our services receive information in a way they can understand:

  • Ask people if they have any information or communication needs and how we can meet these
  • Record their needs clearly and in a set way
  • Highlight or flag the person’s file or notes so it is clear they have communication needs and how to meet these needs
  • Share our knowledge of a person’s information or communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care services when we have consent or permission to do so
  • Take steps to make sure people receive information that they can access and understand and that they are given communication support if they need it

Please contact us if you require a document from our website in an alternative format. We can offer you information in other languages, in large print or braille, or in audio format.

NHS England has worked with the charity Sense to develop an animated video which provides a step-by-step overview of the standard. The video includes subtitles and British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, which you can watch here:

Services we offer

The Accessible Information Standard tells NHS and adult social care organisations they must make sure people can access information in different formats such as:

  • Easy read
  • Braille
  • British Sign Language (BSL)
  • Large print
  • Email

Further information

For further information, please contact our patient experience team lead for this work: [email protected]

You can read our accessibility statement.