Guidance

Inclusive communication

How to produce communications that include, accurately portray, and are accessible to disabled people.

• From: Disability Unit and Cabinet Office
• Published: 14 August 2014
• Last updated: 15 March 2021 — See all updates

Documents

Inclusive language: words to use and avoid when writing about disability

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Portraying disability

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Using a range of communication channels to reach disabled people

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Accessible communication formats

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Details

This guidance aims to help you to:

• communicate using inclusive language and know which words to use and avoid when writing about disability
• include disabled people in your communications and campaigns and make sure that they’re portrayed positively and realistically
• make sure your communications are accessible
• choose and use appropriate communication channels to reach disabled people

There are over 11 million people with a long term illness, impairment or disability in Great Britain. Communicators must be confident their messages will reach everyone, including disabled people. This can be done by ensuring all communications are inclusive and accessible.

The Office for Disability Issues wrote this guidance for government communicators but it may also be useful to others.

Accessible communications online

You can also read guidance from the Government Digital Service on:

• making your public sector website or app accessible
• publishing accessible documents

Published 14 August 2014
Last updated 15 March 2021 + show all updates

1. 15 March 2021

   Updated "Accessible communication formats" with new guidance on using images in easy read publications. The image must go left of the words rather than above or below the words.

2. 13 December 2018

   Added links to guidance on publishing accessible information online.

3. 14 August 2014

   First published.