Finding information in alternative formats

Text-based

Some documents, such as PDFs and Word formats, can be read with the use of screen readers or they can be magnified to enlarge the text. We have a wide range of PDFs on many different topics relating to getting support with caring, such as the following:

See the complete range of factsheets we offer here: Our factsheets | Carers UK

How to use a screen reader or magnifier

You will need to have Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader installed on your machine or device. You can use Accessibility Setup Assistant to set up Acrobat Reader for either a screen magnifier or a screen reader.

Choose Edit
Opt for Accessibility
Opt for Setup Assistant, and then select the options you want from each screen of the Setup Assistant.

Easy-read format

What is an easy-read format? This is where information is simplified and made clearer with the use of images, larger text and shorter sentences to make it easier to understand.

Mencap provides information in an easy-read format on a range of topics relevant to caring from benefit-related subjects to what to do if you disagree with a social care decision. You can explore these topics on their website at: mencap.org.uk/search/easy_read

Gov.uk also provides information about caring in easy-read formats focused on a variety of topics including:

Carer's Allowance

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment

Disability Living Allowance

Attendance Allowance

Access to Work scheme

Tell us once service - communicating when someone dies

Challenging a benefits decision

New Style Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit

Support for Mortgage Interest

New State Pension

Bereavement Support Payment

Large print

If you would like any of the above listed topics in a large or alternative format, you could email: accessible.formats@dwp.gov.uk.

RNIB can provide helpful information on how to find large-print alternatives on their online page: RNIB's guide to large and giant print options | RNIB.

The Care Quality Commission can offer some of their information in large print or alternative formats.

Age UK can provide information in large print on request. To find out more, email: resources@ageuk.org.uk

Audio, visual and multimedia

Our videos cover a wide range of caring topics and provide information visually as well as with the use of a audio voice-over. You can also include captions and alter the size or font if necessary. To find out how to do this, see our page on 'Support if English is not your first language':

Click on the images below to view our library of information videos:

Financial support Practical and emotional support

Understanding the jargon

When looking after someone, you may come across many different health and social care terms when liaising with professionals. This A-Z of health and social care terms can help explain them: carersuk.org/media/ieejq0dr/a-z-health-and-social-care-terms-explained.pdf

For anyone who is unfamiliar with digital terms, the following guide may be useful. Digital terms are explained clearly in this A-Z glossary developed by Age UK:
ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/technology-internet/online-terms/

 
Other useful resources

Contact your local authority or local Health and Social Care Trust (in Northern Ireland) to see if they can offer you any specific resources in the language of your preference. Here are links to other resources you might find helpful: