# Easy Read Health Information for People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how 'Easy Read' health information is used to help people with intellectual disabilities, finding that while it's valued, its effectiveness is not well supported by strong evidence.

## Contribution

The study systematically reviews ERHI practices and highlights the lack of rigorous evidence and standardization in its development and use.

## Key findings

- ERHI development, review, and quality control processes vary widely.
- People with intellectual disabilities often need support to use ERHI effectively.
- Empirical evidence for ERHI's effectiveness is limited and based on low-quality research.

## Abstract

Easy Read materials are sometimes provided by healthcare services to help people with intellectual disabilities to understand written information. This study examined literature on the development, review, regulation, delivery, and impact of Easy Read health information (ERHI) with the aim of elucidating best practice.

A systematic review of five bibliographic databases and three grey literature databases was registered, conducted, and synthesised using meta‐aggregation. Studies from 2006 onward regarding ERHI for individuals with intellectual disabilities were included.

The twenty‐nine included studies revealed variability in ERHI development, review, and quality control processes. Individuals with intellectual disabilities valued ERHI and assistance in appraising it, however empirical evidence of ERHI effectiveness was limited.

ERHI's empirical evidence base is underdeveloped and largely consists of low‐quality research. Subjective and inconsistent application of guidance leads to variable ERHI quality. Standardised resources and rigorous research are needed to evaluate ERHI as a health education intervention.

Easy Read health information is made, checked, and used in different ways by different people.Some Easy Read health information is too difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to read and understand, even though it says it is ‘Easy Read’.Most people with intellectual disabilities like to have support to look at Easy Read Information, and certain strategies can be used to aid understanding.Some people with intellectual disabilities find Easy Read health information clear and easy to understand, but more research is needed before we can judge how helpful it is.

Easy Read health information is made, checked, and used in different ways by different people.

Some Easy Read health information is too difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to read and understand, even though it says it is ‘Easy Read’.

Most people with intellectual disabilities like to have support to look at Easy Read Information, and certain strategies can be used to aid understanding.

Some people with intellectual disabilities find Easy Read health information clear and easy to understand, but more research is needed before we can judge how helpful it is.