Simply Readable

Improving inclusivity by automating Easy Read document creation

    The challenge

    With 1.5 million people in the UK living with a learning disability, councils must provide accessible information in Easy Read formats. Traditional methods are slow and expensive, placing unsustainable pressure on resources and risking the exclusion of vulnerable populations from vital information.

    The solution

    Developed by Swindon Borough Council using Amazon Bedrock, Simply Readable is an AI-powered tool that generates Easy-Read documents. Co-created with residents with learning disabilities, it features larger fonts, clear language, increased spacing, and supporting visuals to meet real user needs.

    The results

    • Reduced the cost of creation of 5-10 page documents from £600 to circa 7-10 pence.
    • Enabled the creation of the documents to be completed in under 30 minutes, compared to weeks using traditional methods.
    • Freed up social worker time, improving frontline service delivery.

    Learnings / insights

    • Co-designing with target users ensured the solution met real needs, ensuring greater user satisfaction.
    • Open-sourcing the tool enabled its impact to be scaled across the public sector.

    Details

    Organisation name
    Swindon Borough Council
    Government body
    Local Government
    User group
    Wider public sector
    Use case type
    Reusable
    Type of technology
    Generative AI
    Phase
    Live
    Impact
    Better Customer experience / Improved efficiency / Time savings / Cost savings

    Links

    Get in touch

    Emailai-knowledge-hub@dsit.gov.ukto:

    • find out how to use or collaborate on this tool
    • talk to us about your own tool

    Content created: 13 May 2025| Last updated: 10 July 2025