Just because someone "never has", doesn't mean they "never will": Easy Read as an opportunity to do something new.

Another musical analogy here - similar to my last blog about white space.

And also another experience with the wonderful Laura Cousins!

Laura and I used to run a lottery-funded project called "Speak Up Make Music". It was about musical improvisation with groups of people who do not use words to communicate.

There was a man called John (name changed) in one of our groups. He spent most of his days turning a small ball around in his hand: staring at it, totally absorbed by it. He was entirely in his own world, not acknowledging other people at all.

The staff said he would happily sit in the circle with us, but they also told us he would not be able to take part in the group activity.

We said "fine, he's very welcome!".

Laura quietly put a large, knee-level drum, and a padded drum-stick next to John, which he completely ignored. The next week she did the same. And he ignored it again. No problem.

But, halfway through week 3's session, he picked up the stick. He used it to beat the drum, repeatedly and loudly. We answered him using our instruments, copying his rhythm and feeling. He looked around the room and smiled, and did it again. The staff were flabbergasted.

I have never forgotten this moment.

So - what is the connection here to accessible information? We can say:

• "there's no point giving Easy Read to Gavin because he can't read" or

• "it won't help Julie, we've tried before"
  

But perhaps we just need to make the information anyway, and leave it around the place. And simply keep doing it.

Maybe next week, next month, or next year, the person will pick it up, have a look, and embark on an unexpected new journey.