Free workshop to explore how digital tech can help make NHS more accessible for disabled people

Many of the estimated 12 million disabled people in the UK find communicating with large organisations like the NHS challenging at best, frustrating or even impossible. The NHS Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was introduced to make information more accessible, and from 1 August 2016 it became a legal requirement for all NHS and social care providers.

  • 11 am – 3 pm, Tuesday 28 February 2017
  • British Computer Society (BCS), 5 Southampton St, London WC2E 7H
  • Book your free place now

The Accessible Information Standard is legal requirement for NHS health and social care providersThe AIS aims to ensure disabled people have a better experience when accessing information from the NHS and adult social care providers, and that that they are provided with support to help them communicate effectively.

NHS England is currently reviewing the implementation of the AIS and AbilityNet is hosting a free workshop in association with the British Assistive Technology Association (BATA) to consider the role that digital technology plays in the AIS.

Free interactive event in London

This interactive half-day event takes place on 11am - 3pm on Tuesday, 28, February at the British Computer Society’s London office. Sponsored by Panlogic ltd, it will bring together disability patient groups, IT professionals, accessibility experts and NHS and social care providers to discuss:

  • Where digital accessibility fits within patient communications
  • Share the results of disabled user-testing on GP booking systems and the lessons learned
  • Learn first-hand from disabled people’s experiences and identify best practice for the design and delivery of digital communications that meet the AIS.

AbilityNet and BATA will be producing a White Paper report with the output from the workshop to help inform the NHS England’s AIS review.

Discuss the issues with the experts

The event will focus on discusion and information-sharing by the people attending. In the final session a panel of expert speakers will review issues raised, such as how well AIS has been implemented, hhow digital tech can help deliver its goals and the accessibility issues to be considered. Expert speakers scheduled to take part include:

  • Sarah Marsay, Public Engagement Account Manager, NHS England
  • Hugh Huddy, Policy & Campaigns Manager, RNIB
  • Andrew McCracken, Head of Communications, National Voices
  • Antony Ruck, Chair of BATA
  • Nigel Lewis, CEO, AbilityNet
  • William Makower, MD, Panlogic ltd

Antony Ruck, Chair of BATA, said:

“The AIS is critical for making sure NHS and social care providers can communicate effectively with disabled people, and visa versa. The review NHS England is currently undertaking of the AIS is vital to make sure it is fit for purpose, and to understand how it works in practice, plus what they key challenges are.

“This workshop will not only help those who attend to get to grips with all the implications, but it will also help to inform NHS England’s review through the White Paper that will be produced from the output of the workshop.”

Numbers are limited

Please book your place now using our online booking form.