​The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care, including NHS trusts and GP practices.

It ensures people with a disability or sensory loss can access and understand information – eg in large print or braille, or from a sign language interpreter.

What you are required to do

• Ask people if they have any information or communication needs and find out how to meet their needs.
• Record those needs clearly and in a set way.
• Highlight or flag the person’s file or notes so it is clear that they have information or communication needs.
• Share people’s information and communication needs with other providers of NHS and adult social care, when they have consent to do so.
• Ensure people receive information that they can access and understand and receive communication support if they need it.

Patients who the standard could apply to:

• patients who have information or communication needs relating to a disability, impairment or sensory loss
• parents and carers of those patients, where appropriate
• people with visual impairments, who have some hearing or visual loss
• people who are deafblind
• people with a learning disability.

Below are some commonly used codes: