Everyone Understands: language access in emergency management

With 44% of the adult Australian population with low literacy, and 10% more when English is a second language, it is far more than ‘just a few people.’ But in times of stress before, during and after an emergency, literacy becomes more difficult for everyone.  Add to this the challenges these and more people have with poor digital inclusion, there are many things to consider to reduce trauma and keep people safe.

Cathy Basterfield is a speech pathologist and leads a team of expert Easy English writers at Access Easy English. Cathy was involved in the development of the guidelines for writing Easy English starting 20 years ago. They enable transparency and effective communication for all vulnerable communities.

Cathy will share some of the emergency resources in Easy English her team has developed that support people with low literacy, including the development of post 2022 Lismore floods content about housing choices for all residents. She will explore some of the challenges with different words  used, and how images need to support understanding, to assist this  reader to know what to do to better connect and communicate with language-vulnerable communities.