"An inclusive society is built by respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone. If we really want to be such a society, we must also learn to prepare information in an easy-to-read manner. Information in an easy-to-read format is a human right, to which we are bound by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," emphasises Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina on International Easy Language Day.

With information in an easy-to-read format, we enable people with intellectual disabilities and other disabilities to have some control over their lives. These persons are often discriminated against and disadvantaged even when it comes to access to information. Easy reading is information that is easy to find, read, and understand. Such information can also be of great help to many other groups, such as the elderly or the less literate.

"We all benefit from easy reading," believes the Ombudsman, who once again urges the state administration and local self-government bodies and various official institutions to prepare messages as comprehensible as possible when communicating with residents, and to pay special attention to the availability of information in an easy-to-read format.

"If we communicate intelligibly and take into account the principles of easy reading, we respect the dignity of people who face challenges in the field of reading and understanding various messages, and at the same time we enable them to exercise their right to participation," Svetina emphasises.

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Ombudsman Peter Svetina became the easy reading ambassador on 4 April 2022, when he received an honorary award. It was awarded to him at Zavod Risa because he advocates that all residents have access to information in a form they can understand. The institution of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) implements the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 2022, in collaboration with Zavod Risa, the Ombudsman prepared a presentation brochure in an easy-to-read format.