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Step 3: Create an Easy Read Version - Simply Readable Walkthrough

Use AI to simplify a document into Easy Read format with auto-generated images

Walkthrough progress

Step 3 of 5 • 5 minutes

Step 3 5 minutes

Create an Easy Read Version

This is the standout feature. Watch as AI simplifies complex text into plain language and generates supporting images -- creating Easy Read documents that traditionally cost £120 per page.

Upload a document and select the Claude 3 Haiku model to create an Easy Read version

Expected outcome

  • You have submitted a document for Easy Read conversion
  • You can see AI-simplified text in plain language
  • You can see auto-generated images alongside the simplified text
  • You understand the cost and time savings compared to traditional Easy Read

Why this matters

Easy Read is a format that makes information accessible to people with learning disabilities. It uses simple words, short sentences, and images to support understanding. In the UK, approximately 1.5 million people have a learning disability, and councils have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make information accessible.

Traditional Easy Read production costs around £120 per page and takes weeks. Simply Readable does it for approximately 1p per page in minutes -- making it practical for councils to make all their documents accessible, not just the most critical ones.

Creating an Easy Read document

  1. Navigate to Readable

    From the dashboard, click "Readable" in the sidebar navigation. Then click "Create Readable" or the equivalent button.

  2. Upload your document

    Upload a .docx document. For the best demonstration, use a document with formal or complex language -- a policy document, a council notice, or a letter about services. The more complex the source, the more impressive the simplification.

  3. Start the Easy Read conversion

    Click "Create" or "Submit". This triggers a more complex Step Functions workflow than translation.

  4. Watch the AI at work

    The dashboard will show the job progressing through multiple stages. This takes longer than translation because it involves multiple AI steps:

    1
    Text extraction

    The document text is extracted and structured

    2
    Text simplification (Claude 3 Haiku)

    Amazon Bedrock uses Claude 3 Haiku to rewrite the text in plain language with short sentences

    3
    Image generation (Nova Canvas)

    AI generates supporting images for each section to aid understanding

    4
    Document assembly

    The simplified text and images are combined into an Easy Read format

  5. Review the result

    Once complete, click on the job to view the Easy Read output. You will see:

    • Simplified text -- complex language rewritten in plain, short sentences
    • Supporting images -- AI-generated illustrations that reinforce the meaning
    • Clear layout -- large text, plenty of white space, one idea per section

Co-created with Experts by Experience

Simply Readable was not built in isolation. Swindon Borough Council worked with "Experts by Experience" -- people with learning disabilities who reviewed and shaped the Easy Read output. Their feedback directly influenced how the AI simplifies text and what kinds of images are generated.

This co-creation approach ensures the output genuinely meets the needs of the people it is designed for, rather than being based on assumptions about what "simple" means.

98% community satisfaction: In user testing with people with learning disabilities, 98% rated the AI-generated Easy Read documents as helpful and easy to understand.

The cost impact

Method Cost per page Turnaround
Traditional Easy Read production £120 Weeks
Simply Readable (AI) ~1p Minutes

Source: LGA Case Study (opens in new tab). Swindon's Adult Social Care team achieved a 749,900% ROI with Simply Readable.

This cost reduction changes the economics of accessibility. Instead of only converting the most critical documents, councils can make everything available in Easy Read -- housing letters, benefits information, health guidance, and more.

Troubleshooting: Easy Read job taking a long time

Easy Read conversion involves multiple AI services and takes longer than simple translation:

  • A 2-page document typically takes 2 to 5 minutes
  • Image generation is the longest step -- each image takes 10 to 30 seconds
  • If the job has been processing for more than 10 minutes, check the Step Functions console for errors
  • Try with a shorter document if a long one is timing out
Troubleshooting: No images generated

If the Easy Read output has simplified text but no images:

  • The Bedrock model agreement for Nova Canvas may not have been activated -- check the Bedrock console
  • Image generation may have failed silently -- the text simplification still works without images
  • Check the Step Functions execution for any error steps

Need help?

If you're stuck, check the troubleshooting section or contact us.