2.7 Information for Children and Parents
You should ensure that all information that affects children directly is provided in a format that adults and children can look at together and/or that children can look at, read or listen to themselves.
Any information which affects children directly – about their own health, education, welfare and legal rights – should be available to them. They should also be able to access services that cater for children and young people.
Grapevine, the Lothian Disability Information Service, has produced guidance on providing information to children. It suggests that information can be made accessible to children in a number of ways:
- Wherever possible, ask children what they think should be included in the leaflet, poster or tape. They will often have ideas on appropriate content, style and layout.
- Younger children will need simple language together with large bold print, short sentences and lots of pictures.
- Older children and teenagers will probably prefer cartoons and comic strip style layouts with a more sophisticated approach.
- When trying to explain technical or abstract things, use examples which children can understand.
- Include colouring in, puzzles or quizzes in the leaflet. This will not only help children to remember the message, but will also make it fun – a key requirement for children of all ages.
- Information for children should also be available in other formats and in appropriate languages.
- Make sure all information for children is displayed within their reach.
Go to the next page: Standard Two - Developing Your Service to Ensure Accessibility
(c) Scottish Accessible Information Forum, 2007
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