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An open randomised controlled trial of the effects of linguistic simplification and mediation on the comprehension of ‘easy read’ text by people with intellectual disabilities

Buell, Susan, Langdon, Peter E., Pounds, G., Bunning, Karen (2020) An open randomised controlled trial of the effects of linguistic simplification and mediation on the comprehension of ‘easy read’ text by people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 33 (2). pp. 219-231. E-ISSN 1468-3148. (doi:10.1111/jar.12666) (KAR id:75786)

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Abstract

Background: This trial aimed to measure the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on users’ comprehension of health information provided in adapted written ‘easy read’ material.

Method: Sixty adults with intellectual disabilities undertook The Easy Read Task, randomly allocated with stratification by reading ability to one of four conditions (with and without simplified language/ with and without mediation). Results: Neither linguistic complexity of the text nor mediation independently or combined made a significant difference to the understanding of information. Posthoc testing revealed that the group who received simplified language with mediation performed significantly better than the group that had complex text with mediation. None of the other differences between the remaining groups were significant. Conclusions: Constructing meaning needs to extend beyond a consideration of form as found in ‘easy read’ documents to recognise the role of individual capacity for language processing.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jar.12666
Uncontrolled keywords: Easy read, intellectual disabilities, language, understanding, health, reasonable adjustments
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Peter Langdon
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2019 10:54 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/75786 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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