Even though Europe is becoming more and more digital and inclusive, access to culture remains uneven, especially for people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD). Progress has been made in physical and sensory accessibility; however, cognitive accessibility is still overlooked in the cultural and publishing sectors.
PAGE was created under the Creative Europe Program and brings together organizations from across Europe. All partners share the same goal: making literature cognitively accessible for readers with intellectual disabilities. The project addresses the lack of books adapted for people with cognitive impairments, whether due to age or level of comprehension. Standard adult literature is too complex, and children’s books are too simplistic and not culturally relevant.
What is cognitive accessibility in literature?
In order to be cognitively accessible, the content of a text needs to be written, formatted, and presented in ways that are understandable to people with intellectual and development disabilities. This includes the use of simplified language, clear structure, intuitive formatting, and accessible vocabulary.
The project focuses on the principle that reading should be a cultural right. Reading improves self-expression, social interaction, emotional well-being, and understanding for people with IDD. PAGE centers their needs by developing tools and content that are easy to understand, dignified, and culturally meaningful.
What the project will produce
To bring this vision to life, PAGE will produce:
- Research activities to determine the parameters and characteristics a book must have in order to be cognitively accessible and the kind of cultural activities in the field of reading and writing that best suit the needs of IDDs.
- Cultural activities toolkit to develop activities dedicated to IDD linked to literature, reading, and writing. These activities are very rarely developed in Europe, also because of the lack of accessible books and on the bias of IDD of not being able to express their creativity.
- Accessible books to bridge the lack of literary content for adult people with disabilities because a literary genre dedicated to this target group doesn’t exist.
- PAGE App to address the lack of dedicated apps aimed at stimulating IDDs’ participation in reading through the use of simplified language, also making literature more inclusive and engaging through technological tools.
A model for inclusive publishing
The PAGE project is a move toward a more inclusive cultural landscape rather than just a publishing experiment. Through the integration of user-led innovation, accessible literature, and cross-border cooperation, PAGE aims to transform the way we think about reading and inclusion in Europe.
By doing this, it creates a new literary genre that respects the creative rights of people with cognitive disabilities and provides them with the opportunity to participate in, enjoy, and contribute to European culture.