The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services
What is the accessible information standard?
The standard was introduced in 2016, this page reflects updates that were made in 2025.
The accessible information standard sets out how providers and commissioners of NHS and publicly funded adult social care services should ensure disabled people and people with impairments or sensory loss:
- can access and understand information about NHS and adult social care services
- receive the communication support they need to use those services
This means services must:
- Identify your needs: You should be asked if you have any communication needs, and asked how these needs can be met.
- Record your needs: Your needs should be recorded in a clear and set way.
- Flag your needs: Your file or notes should highlight these communication needs so service staff are aware of your needs and know how to meet them.
- Share your needs: Information about your communication needs should be shared with other providers of NHS and adult social care, as part of existing data-sharing processes, including referral, discharge and handover processes.
- Meet your needs: Information should be delivered to you in a way you can access and understand, with the option for communication support if needed.
- Review your needs: Your needs should be regularly reviewed.
Resources to support you to have your needs met
Make your needs clear – download and fill in the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) Health and Care Communication Card to make sure your communication needs are understood every time you use NHS services.
Tell services how you prefer to communicate and get information - download and fill out the easy read Communication Card created by CHANGE to take to your next appointment
Understand what the accessible information standard means for you - click here for easy read guidance on your rights under the accessible information standard, created by CHANGE
Communication support professionals if you're deaf or have hearing loss
Communication professionals support deaf people, deafblind people and those with hearing loss in a range of situations.
RNID has information about the support that is available, when to use support, and who pays for support on they website.
Implementation guidance
Organisations need to assess their processes for collecting, recording, flagging and sharing data alongside their arrangements for meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, and families and carers involved in care.
Accessible Information Standard - implementation guidance
Locked out: Exclusion of deaf and deafblind BSL users from health and social care in the UK (full report – BSL and English versions)
