The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
All organisations that provide NHS care and/or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard.
Why is implementing the AIS important?
Watch the video below to learn how the AIS affects patients and service users from across Gloucestershire.
Resources to help you implement the AIS
General resources
- NHS England – e-learning and training:
https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/accessible-information-standard/ - The Accessible Information Standard in EasyRead:
https://www.changepeople.org/getmedia/6932c68d-3dfd-4d73-9b67-75cb3e72dd15/AIS-Wordbank-05-04-16 - GP toolkit:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx9N8jByKKWQWDNPNzNRcEx2ZjA/view - Making posters accessible:
https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/02/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility/ - NHS England – AIS Checklist:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Accessible-Communications-Policy-Checklist.pdf - NHS England – Identifying information and communication needs:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Identifying-information-and-communication-needs.pdf - NHS England – Recording information and communication needs:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Recording-information-and-communication-needs.pdf - NHS England – Flagging information and communication needs:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Flagging-information-and-communication-needs.pdf - NHS England – Sharing information and communication needs:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Sharing-information-and-communication-needs.pdf - NHS England – Meeting information and communication needs:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Meeting-information-and-communication-needs.pdf - Communication Support Card Template:
https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/communication-support-card-application-form.pdf - Sense – ways of communicating:
https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/communication/
Meeting the needs of deaf people
- Gloucestershire Deaf Association – BSL courses:
bslcollege@gda.org.uk - Gloucestershire Deaf Association – Understanding Deafness workshops:
understanddeafness@gda.org.uk - Gloucestershire Deaf Association – Understanding Deafness Information:
https://www.gda.org.uk/understanding-deafness - RNID – how to communicate with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss:
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/how-to-communicate-with-deaf-people-hearing-loss/ - RNID – how to make your venue more accessible:
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/deaf-awareness/how-to-make-your-venue-more-accessible/ - RNID – British Sign Language:
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/deaf-awareness/british-sign-language/
Meeting the needs of people who have a learning disability
- Inclusion Gloucestershire – Communication Training:
https://www.inclusiongloucestershire.co.uk/training-and-development/ - Mencap – Tips for communication:
https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016-12/Communicating%20with%20people_updated%20%281%29.pdf - Oliver McGowan Training on Learning Disability and Autism:
https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/the-oliver-mcgowan-mandatory-training-on-learning-disability-and-autism/ - Mencap – speaking to people with a learning disability video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyV1v-nib38 - NHS England Disability Matters for the AIS e-learning:
https://www.disabilitymatters.org.uk/Component/Details/468678 - Makaton cards and symbols to help communicate about health and healthcare:
https://www.makaton.org/ - Talking Mats:
https://www.talkingmats.com/
Meeting the needs of people who are blind or have sight loss
- Sight Loss Council – good practice guidance for GPs:
https://www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SLC_GPs_best_practice_v1.pdf - Sight Loss Council – good practice guidance for hospitals:
https://www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/SLC_hospital_best_practice_v2.pdf - RNIB – creating accessible information and communication resources for health and social care:
Creating accessible information and communication resources for health and social care | RNIB - RNIB- making communication and environments accessible:
https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/supporting-others/making-communication-and-environments-accessible/ - NHS England – a guide for GP practice staff:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/guide-support-people-who-are-blind-or-have-sight-loss.pdf
Contacts for further support
- Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust: Farooq Ismail
- Gloucestershire Health and Care: GHC Comms Team (GHC.Comms@ghc.nhs.uk)
- NHS Gloucestershire: Engagement and Inclusion Team (glicb.gig@nhs.net)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)?
The AIS sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss.
Who is this information for?
All organisations that provide NHS care and/or publicly-funded adult social care are legally required to follow the AIS.
Who does the AIS support?
The AIS supports people who:
- are deaf
- are blind
- are deafblind
- are autistic
- are living with dementia
- have a learning disability
- have a hearing and/or visual loss
- have communication difficulties following a stroke
- parents and carers also have rights under the AIS
What are the ‘five steps of the Standard?
Basic compliance of the AIS requires 5 actions to be taken.
- Identify – identify the individuals needs.
- Record – clear and consistent recording of the individuals’ needs.
- Flag – individuals’ recorded needs should be flagged or highlighted to prompt action to be taken and those needs to be met.
- Share – organisations to share details of individuals’ information and/or communication needs with others involved in their care.
- Meet – actions taken to ensure information and communication needs are met.
It should be noted that the AIS is currently being revised by NHS England.
Where I can learn more?
AIS training sessions are being delivered across the system. Please contact your lead for further information.