The Easy Read transcription method by professionals
It was five years ago. The streets were empty, marked by the global pandemic, and the same visuals covered every wall in the city — those illustrating protective measures. You remember them, don’t you? Their simple, clear, and direct messages all had a common goal: to raise awareness among the entire population. Without realizing it, we were being exposed to a very specific method: Easy Read (short for Easy to Read and Understand). Although the Easy Read method became more widespread in public spaces in the early 2000s, its origins date back to the 1970s — a time when a collective awareness emerged: information should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their reading level or cognitive abilities.
But what exactly is Easy Read?
What is the Easy Read method?
For a text to be recognised as Easy Read (Easy to Read and Understand), it must follow a set of precise rules defined at the European level.
It’s not just about writing “simpler” — it’s about applying a structured and rigorous method:
- The content must be clear and direct, with one idea per sentence. Common and concrete words are preferred, while jargon, unexplained acronyms, passive forms and metaphors are avoided.
- Sentences are short, written in the present tense, and the text follows a logical, linear structure (moving from simple to more complex ideas).
- Layout plays a key role: sans-serif fonts (such as Arial), minimum size 14, left alignment, and generous spacing between paragraphs.
- Explicit titles, bullet points, and pictograms or images are used to help illustrate key ideas.
But the real hallmark of the Easy Read method lies in its final step:
- The text must be validated by people with intellectual disabilities.
They review the document to ensure that every element is truly understandable.
Only after this validation can a text officially bear the label “Written in Easy Read.”
- Why the Easy Read Transcription Method Benefits Your Business
Have you ever found yourself stuck in front of a poster, a website, or a letter — not really understanding what was expected of you?
When faced with confusing content, how many seconds did you actually last before losing interest? Probably fewer than ten. And you’re not alone: our brains are wired to avoid unnecessary effort.
When confronted with information that’s vague, overloaded, or poorly presented, we disconnect — and immediately seek something familiar and effortless to process. In other words, we skip it.
Brands and institutions: leading the way in clear communication
The broader your audience, the more essential a clear language becomes. In the private sector, some companies have already gone one step further.
The Belgian insurance brand Flora openly promotes its commitment to simplicity, with statements such as “No words no one understands” and “Bye-bye to jargon” on its page dedicated to contract readability.
The financial sector is also embracing the Easy Read method. In Spain, CaixaBank has developed an internal guide to spread Easy Read best practices across its teams. The bank also offers an online library of simplified documents designed for people with reading difficulties.
Public institutions are following suit. In Switzerland, the canton of Vaud is preparing an Easy Read version of its brochure “Welcome to the Canton of Vaud,” already available in 17 languages. The EVAM (Vaud Establishment for Migrant Reception) has trained its teams in the Easy Read method and now provides several web pages — such as “I am a migrant” and “Ukraine” — fully written in this accessible format.
Even when these materials don’t officially carry the Easy Read label, they follow the same core principles: plain language, clear structure, relevant visuals, and short, straightforward sentences.
In a world saturated with messages, attention is a luxury — and it’s only earned through immediate understanding.
If your reader’s or customer’s brain has to “work” to grasp your message, they won’t engage. They’ll move on — and they won’t come back.
Let’s be clear: no understanding means no trust. And without trust, there’s no action.
That’s why clarity isn’t just a stylistic choice — it’s a strategic advantage. It determines whether your message reaches its audience, convinces them, and drives them to act.
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