AQW 21889/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 04/02/2025
Answered On Date: 13/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he will update his Department’s communications policy to ensure all consultations and communications include accessible options such as, but not limited to, Easy Read, as common practice rather than on request.

Answer:

My Department currently follows and will continue to follow best practice in this area. All published departmental information and communications are considered for alternative formats, including Easy Read.

For example, Easy Read documents were published for the Department of Education’s Draft 2023-2028 Corporate Plan consultation, the Children and Young People’s Strategy 2019-2029 consultation, the Making School Uniforms More Affordable consultation, the Free School Meals and Uniform Grant consultation, the Deferring School Starting Age consultation, and the Children & Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework.

The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) also publish easy read versions or pupil friendly versions.

Easy Read documents are produced at first publication whenever it is appropriate to do so. Any alternative formats, when requested, are provided promptly for those that require them. This process is in keeping with the ‘Accessible communication formats’ guidance provided by the Cabinet Office and Disability Unit.