This video is a part of Unit 4- The profession.
Element 2- Interpersonal skills.
Working with diverse users
This is an interview with Saša Lesjak.
She is an expert in Easy Slovene at Zavod RISA.
She cooperates with professionals,
who work with diverse end-users
of Easy-to-understand information.
She shares their experience and views.
Working with the target group,
facilitators or coordinators are coming across
different challenges.
Some of these challenges
are similar or universal for the target groups of Easy language.
Some of the professional challenges
of Easy language authors
are different, though.
For example,
everyone must be very careful
that the adapted texts
do not lose important information.
Most professional says their end-users
are not motivated for standard texts.
For reading texts and listening to audio information
are motivated only
when the texts are already in Easy language.
The authors of Easy language texts for different target groups
are anonymous in this.
It is very important to provide
to provide adequately prepared content
with adequate layout and design.
Only then, the professionals say,
they can start reading the texts with the end-users.
The drafts in Easy language need to be
properly prepared and edited.
How else to make an information that is Easy-to-understand for all?
That is an important aspect, too.
Professionals or coordinators who make information with the end-users
say the target groups are very diverse.
There are big differences among people
from the same target group, also.
This posts a challenge as regards
Easy language information stage.
What else do all target groups have in common?
Easy language must be always
validated on the spot.
We need to make sure
that the end-users understand the text.
We ask them questions.
Professionals working with some target groups
emphasized that people often say they understand,
but in reality, they do not.
Especially if people are institutionalized,
meaning living in different care homes,
they are dependent on the workers.
These end-users often say the workers
deliver information in a hurry
and do not check if the users understand them
or the text.
What else is common and what is different?
Some information can depend on the target group.
For example, an invitation to a trip
could be very different among the groups.
On the other hand,
some general information or literature
could be useful for the wider population.
This information might also be important.
Professional working with people living in institutions
heavily emphasize
that people lack skills
to use Easy language information
for inclusion.
They lack self-advocacy skills,
say the professionals.
Their abilities do not develop.
They stay on the same level.
This is not the case when we speak about people who need Easy language
just for a short period of time,
like immigrants, for example.
Professionals working with immigrants
say the process of creation of Easy language information
is different
as they progress in their language skills.
One more thing that divides the target groups...
People who live in institutions
do not get enough incentive to express themselves
and communicate.
Professionals say they know their level of communication well
but do not give enough encouragement.
These groups, living in care homes,
are often the most dependent
on the workers, their input, knowledge and interest.
A lot depends on how much the end-users can do,
how good they are with words,
what kind of themes they like,
and what structures they can operate with.
Some groups make progress,
other do not.
For example, cognitive abilities of people with intellectual disabilities
influence the creation process of Easy language information
and understanding.
This is different for immigrants,
for example.
One more thing that the groups have in common...
Professionals always seek balance
in creating Easy language information.
They have to make sure things are not too easy,
yet not too complicated.
Information solutions have stages.
Heterogenous groups of end-users make the process of finding the right stage harder.
The end-users in those groups are very diverse regards their abilities.
The common challenges are the adaptation itself,
knowledge and time that has to be put in...
the making of the Easy language text.
All the target groups of Easy language
have to be supported in the process
the process of gaining information.
There are different levels of knowledge,
thus different stages of Easy language.
People just have different language knowledge and skills.
This video was produced by Zavod RISA.
in 2021.