Easy-to-read explanations
Here you can find explanations of some words in easy-to-read.
Click on the word to read its explanation.
Do you know how to explain a word in an easier way?
Contact us at secretariat@inclusion-europe.org and let us know!
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – L – M – N – O – P – R – S – T – U – V – W
A
B
Bank
C
Charter of Fundamental Rights
Climate change
Commissioner at the European Commission
Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe
Community
Community-based services
Convention
COVID-19
D
Degree
Democracy
Disability
E
European Convention on Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
European Day of Persons with Disabilities
European Economic and Social Committee
European Network for Independent Living
European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities
F
Fund
O
Organisation
P
R
Report
Researcher
Rights
S
Services
Special education schools
Support person
T
Training
U
V
Volunteer
W
Abuse
Abuse is when someone treats you badly.
This can be that the person shouts at you.
This can also be that the person hurts you or is violent in another way.
Accessibility Act
The Accessibility Act is a law
made by the European Union.
Every country in the European Union
must respect the Accessibility Act.
The Accessibility Act says what companies need to do
to make their products and services more accessible.
For example:
- smartphones,
- computers,
- e-books,
- ticketing machines
- travels by bus or train.
The Accessibility Act is good for people with disabilities
and also for older people.
It is good because it makes things more accessible
to them.
It is also good for people with disabilities looking for a job.
It can get them a job in testing products and services
to say if they are accessible.
The Accessibility Act is also good for companies.
They do not need to follow different laws in different countries anymore.
Now there is one law for the entire European Union.
This makes things easier for companies.
Accessible
Something that is easy to use for people with disabilities.
Such as:
- Ramps to get into a building.
- Information in easy-to-read.
- Information in sign language.
Ballot box
A ballot box is a box
where people put their voting slip
when they vote.
Bank
A place where you can keep and take money.
Board of Directors
The board of directors is a group of people
who give advice to a company or an organisation.
If they give bad advice,
then they are responsible for this.
CERMI
CERMI is the Spanish Committee of Representatives of Persons with Disabilities.
We call it CERMI for short.
Lots of organisations for people with
different types of disabilities are part of CERMI.
CERMI represents more than 3.8 million women and men with disabilities in Spain.
CERMI works to ensure the inclusion of women and men with disabilities in society.
Chair
The person in charge of a meeting or of an organisation.
Charter of Fundamental Rights
A paper that says what basic rights every person has.
For example, the right to freedom, the right to education.
Civil Rights
Civil rights are rights that all people in a country have.
Climate Change
When nature is damaged because of human actions.
For example, pollution, heavy rains, forest fires.
Commissioner at the European Commission
A Commissioner is a person who is responsible for a field of work
at the European Commission and manages a lot of people.
Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe
The Commissioner for Human Rights is part of the Council of Europe.
The Commissioner makes sure people understand and respect human rights.
The Commissioner visits the countries who take part in the Council of Europe,
to talk to people about human rights.
Complex Support Needs
Complex support needs are when a person with disabilities needs help in different and complicated ways.
Community
People that belong to something.
For example, neighbourhood community. People who live in the same neighbourhood.
Or religious community. People who have the same religion.
Community-based services
Support given by people from the community.
Convention
An agreement between countries or organisations which talks about many topics.
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an organisation made up different European countries.
It has 47 members.
The Council of Europe works for human rights and equality for all in Europe.
The Council of Europe does not make laws.
It can just make countries follow some international agreements.
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union
is where the national ministers from the countries of the European Union meet.
They meet to adopt laws and talk about politics in the European Union.
The Council of the European Union is also called
Council of Ministers.
Culture
Culture is the ideas and behaviour of a group of people.
These ideas are shown through art, music, theatre, food and other things.
All these things are part of a culture.
Covid-19
A virus that spread all around the world. A lot of people got sick.
People could not meet each other, work at the office or go to school.
Degree
When people finish school or university,
people get a paper that shows your grades.
It’s called a degree.
Deinstitutionalisation
Deinstitutionalisation is helping people to move out of institutions.
It is when the people who lived in institutions get help
so they can live independently in the community.
Democracy
When everybody has the same right to be heard.
When everybody has the same right to vote and to stand for elections.
Disability
A person who is not able to do some things, because it is hard for the person.
For example, a person has no legs cannot walk.
Or a person who has a reading difficulty cannot understand a hard text.
Disability High Level Group
The Disability High Level Group is a group of experts.
It wants to make sure that different people work together well.
This concerns these people:
- people who work for the European Commission
- people who work for the member states of the European Union
- people who work for organisations who fight for the rights of persons with disabilities
Discrimination
Discrimination means that you are treated worse than others or
that you do not get the chances you deserve.
It is discrimination when it happens because of your disability.
It can also happen to other people.
For example, people who have a different skin colour.
Or older people.
Easy-to-read
Easy to read is information that is written in a simple way
so that people with intellectual disabilities can understand.
It is important to use simple words and sentences.
If there are words that are difficult to understand, an explanation is provided.
The text needs to be clear to see,
for example, black writing on a white background is good.
It needs to be well-spaced.
Easy-to-read often uses pictures to explain what the text talks about.
Someone with an intellectual disability needs to
check the information is easy to understand.
Easy-to-read documents often have this logo,
so it is easier to find them.
There are rules on how easy-to-read should be done.
You can read the European standards of easy-to-read information here.
Educate
Educate means to teach.
It means to make sure people have access to training so they can learn new skills.
EEG
EEG is short for the “European Expert Group
on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care”.
The EEG is a group of people
who work on getting people out of institutions
and into the community.
They tell the EU and the countries in Europe
what they must do so people can live independently.
Elect
Elect means to decide who you want to stand for you
and make decisions that have an impact on you.
Election
Elections decide who should speak for us and make choices for us.
Elections happen in different areas.
For example in your town or city when you can elect a new mayor.
Or in your country when you can elect a new president.
Electoral List
All the candidates of a party
are on an electoral list.
The people who are on top
have the best chance
to be elected.
Employ
Employ means to hire someone to do a job.
Empower
Empowerment means becoming stronger.
It means becoming able to stand up for yourself.
EPSA
The European Platform of Self-Advocates is made up of
organisations of self-advocates from different countries in Europe.
We call it EPSA for short.
It is a part of Inclusion Europe.
European Commission
The European Commission works with the European Parliament.
The European Commission suggests laws for the European Parliament
and the Council of the European Union to discuss.
It also makes sure that the laws that have been decided upon
are being followed by the member states.
European Convention on Human Rights
A paper that says the rights every person has.
For example, the right to live, the right to speak your mind.
The paper is respected by all countries in Europe.
European Court of Human Rights
A court is a place where a judge
decides how to put the law into practice.
The European Court of Human Rights
makes sure every European country respects human rights.
Human Rights are the rights that every person should have.
For example, the right to live.
Or the right to speak your mind.
European Day of Persons with Disabilities
The European Day of Persons with Disabilities
is a big event that takes place every year.
Many people with disabilities come to the event.
They talk with politicians and other important people.
They talk about things such as accessibility
and the rights of people with disabilities.
It is a day organised by the European Commission
and the European Disability Forum.
European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum is an organisation of people with disabilities in Europe.
In short, we call it EDF.
EDF was created by people with disabilities in 1996.
EDF works to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Europe.
EDF is based in Brussels in Belgium.
European Disability Strategy
The European Disability Strategy is an important text.
It says what the European Union has to do
to make sure people with disabilities in Europe get the same rights as everyone else.
European Economic and Social Committee
The European Economic and Social Committee
is an organisation in the European Union.
The European Economic and Social Committee
is called the ‘EESC’ for short.
The EESC connects civil society
with the European Union.
Civil society is made up of groups and organisations
that represent citizens with different interests.
European elections
The European elections
are the elections to the European Parliament.
When you vote at the European elections,
you can have a say on who the new MEPs will be.
The MEPs speak for
all the people who live in the European Union.
The European elections take place every 5 years.
The last European elections were in May 2019.
European Network for Independent Living
The European Network for Independent Living is an organisation
that works for independent living
for people with disabilities in Europe.
We call it ENIL for short.
European Parliament
The European Parliament is a place where important decisions
of the European Union are made.
For example: laws.
The Members of the European Parliament (in short, MEPs) make these decisions
and speak for all the people who live in the European Union.
Every five years, the people who live in the European Union vote for their country’s MEPs.
European Parliament for Persons with Disabilities
The European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities
is a big gathering of people with disabilities from all over Europe.
At this event, they talk about what they want in life.
They talk about the problems they have as people with disabilities.
The European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities takes place in Brussels in Belgium.
It takes place every five years.
European Pillar of Social Rights
The European Pillar of Social Rights is an important text.
It explains what the European Union wants to do
to make sure everyone gets the same opportunities.
For example:
- in getting an education
- in choosing their job
- not to be left out if you have a disability
- access to the best services for everyone
- not to be left out when you are old.
These rules help everyone in Europe
to be part of the community.
The member states of the European Union have supported the
European Pillar of Social Rights.
European Solidarity Corps
Solidarity means helping other people.
Especially people you don’t know.
Many young people want to help other people.
The European Solidarity Corps tells them
where they can go to help.
On the website of the European Solidarity Corps
the young people can find out
where their help is needed.
They can help for free or also get money.
The European Solidarity Corps is a project
of the European Union.
European Union
The European Union (in short, EU) is a group of 27 countries.
We call these countries “member states”.
They have joined together to be stronger politically and economically.
The EU makes laws on many important things for the people who live in those countries.
The EU makes laws in different areas. Some examples are:
- Laws to protect the environment.
- Laws for farmers.
- Laws to protect consumers.
A consumer is someone who buys things.
The EU also makes laws that are important for people with disabilities.
For example, the Accessibility Act.
It also made a law that gives people with disabilities more rights
when they are travelling.
The EU also gives money to its member states.
Some of this money is used for people with disabilities.
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
is an organisation working for the European Union.
We call it FRA for short.
FRA makes sure
that the rights of all people living in the European Union
are respected.
Fund
To give money to someone or to an organisation which helps people or organises things.
Gender
The gender says if you are female or male.
Some people do not see themselves as either female or male.
They call themselves non-binary.
General Comment
A General Comment is when an organisation like the United Nations
explains the different words and ideas that they use.
Government
A government is a group of people
that make decisions on how to run a country.
For example,
• about where the money is spent,
• about public transport,
• about schools,
• about hospitals.
Every few years there are elections
to vote for a new government.
Guardianship
Guardianship allows some people to make life choices for others.
The person who makes choices for you is your guardian.
Your guardian can decide things for you, like where you live.
Sometimes, people under guardianship are not allowed to vote, get married, or take care of their kids.
Hashtag
On social media you can use the symbol #.
This symbol is called hashtag.
You can write a word after the hashtag symbol.
If you click on that word,
you will be taken to all the messages
that have to do with that word.
For example:
- If you write #inclusion and you click on it,
you will be taken to all the messages
that have to do with inclusion. - If you write #EuropeanUnion and you click on it,
you will be taken to all the messages
that have to do with the European Union. - If you write #HearOurVoices and you click on it,
you will be taken to all the messages
that have to do with Hear Our Voices.
Human Rights
Human Rights are the rights that every person should have.
For example, the right to live.
Or the right to speak your mind.
Inclusion Europe
Inclusion Europe is an organisation of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
We fight for their equal rights and inclusion in Europe.
We also want to make a difference to the laws in Europe.
We started in 1988.
We have 79 members in 39 European countries.
We are based in Brussels in Belgium.
Inclusion International
Inclusion International is an organisation
for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
It fights for their equal rights and inclusion in all aspects of life.
It started over 50 years ago.
It has 200 members in 115 countries all over the world.
Inclusion International is based in London in the United Kingdom.
Inclusive education, training, employment
Inclusive education, training or employment means that people with intellectual disabilities
can learn and work together with other people without disabilities.
Independent living
Independent living means that people with intellectual disabilities
live in the community and have support to do what they want.
They also can:
- choose with whom and where to live
- decide how they want to spend their time
- have the same experiences as all other people
Institutions
Institutions are places where people with intellectual disabilities live
with other people with intellectual disabilities.
They live apart from other people.
This is what we call “segregated”.
Sometimes this happens against their will.
People who live in institutions have to follow the rules of the institution
and cannot decide for themselves.
Intellectual disability
If you have an intellectual disability,
that means it is more difficult for you to understand information
and learn new skills than it is for other people.
This makes some parts of life harder.
People with intellectual disabilities often need support
in learning or at work.
Intellectual disability often starts before you are an adult.
It affects you for your whole life.
There are things that can make life easier for people with intellectual disabilities.
For example, information in easy-to-read language.
Some people say learning disabilities instead of intellectual disabilities.
Internship
A place where you work for a short time
and that helps you to find what kind of
job you want to do later.
Legal capacity
Capacity is when you can make a decision or choice at one moment.
There are laws about how to decide if someone has capacity.
Then it is called legal capacity.
Legal capacity means that people with intellectual disabilities can do things on their own.
This is what they can do:
- Make choices about their lives.
- Get married, start a family and raise children.
- Sign contracts (also work contracts).
- Have a bank account.
- Control their money and property.
- Make decisions about their health.
- Take part in politics and have the right to vote.
Manifesto
A manifesto is a text that explains the goals of a person or an organisation.
It is often made before an election
by a person or organisation that wants to be elected.
Some manifestos are also done organisations
to tell the candidates for the elections about
what they think is important.
Everyone can read a manifesto.
Mental Health Europe
Mental Health Europe is an organisation
that works on the topic of mental health.
Mental health means how healthy your mind is.
Mental Health Europe represents people who have problems with their mental health
and people who work with mental health.
It is based in Brussels in Belgium.
MEPs
The members of the European Parliament
are the politicians who sit
in the European Parliament.
We call them MEPs for short.
NGO
NGO is short for Non-governmental organisation.
NGOs are groups of people that work together.
These groups are not connected with the government of any country.
NGOs are often non-profit organisations.
That means, they are trying to do something other
than make money for the people who run them.
Organisation
A group of people who works for the same thing.
Personal Assistance
Personal assistance is when you get support
that is made for you only.
Political party
A political party is a group of people who think the country should be run in a certain way.
Politician
Someone who helps run the country or part of the country.
Or someone who would like to do this.
Politicians, for example, are
- mayors
- ministers
- candidates in the elections
Politics
Running the country, or part of the country.
Polling station
A polling station is a building
that is used for voting
during the elections.
Often, it is a school.
Procuration
You can use procuration
when you cannot go to vote yourself.
You can sign a document
asking a person you trust
to vote for the candidate or the party
you have chosen.
Rape
Rape is when someone forces another person to have sex with them.
Referendum
A referendum is when you give your opinion
on an important topic for your country.
You do it by going to
the voting station,
like for the elections.
Report
A paper that says what researcher find about a topic.
For example: Inclusion Europe and
Antwerp Management School worked
on a report about employment for
people with intellectual disabilities.
Researcher
A person that finds things about a topic
and makes a report about the topic and the findings.
Rights
When you have rights it means
you are able to do and have things.
Rights are often written in constitutions.
Segregation
Segregation is when someone is set apart from others for an unfair reason.
For example, because of their disability.
Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy is when people with intellectual disabilities speak up for themselves.
These people are called self-advocates.
Services
Support for people with disabilities.
Social Media
Social media is made up of websites and apps that let you create and share content.
For example, photos, videos and information.
Apps is short for applications.
These are tools that let you use social media on a mobile phone or tablet.
Special education schools
Schools for people with disabilities.
Spitzenkandidat
A spitzenkandidat is a candidate
that a European party chooses
as their best candidate.
This means that if that party wins
at the European elections
this person
will become president of the European Commission.
Strategy
A strategy is a plan with goals for the future.
The strategy also says how these goals will be reached.
Supported decision making
Supported decision making means that people with intellectual disabilities can make life decisions
with the support of another person without disabilities.
This is what they can get support with:
- make choices about their lives
- start a family and raise children
- sign contracts (also working contracts)
- have a bank account
- control their money and property
- make decisions about their health
- take part in politics and have the right to vote
Support person
A person that helps people with disabilities to do things.
For example: doing grocery shopping or understanding a hard document.
Training
A class often given at work where people learn new things.
UN CRPD
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (in short, UN CRPD)
is an important document.
It tries to make sure that the rights of people with disabilities are respected.
UN CRPD Committee
The United Nations Committee
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
is a group of people.
This group of people checks what countries do
to make sure the rights of persons with disabilities are respected.
We call it CRPD Committee for short.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organisation.
It work for peace and security everywhere in the world.
We call it the UN for short.
The UN is based in different places.
For example, it is in New York, in the United States of America.
And in Geneva, in Switzerland.
Volunteer
A person that works and helps for free.
For example: taking care of animals at a shelter.
Vote
Voting means choosing
the politicians who represent us
and make decisions for us.
You can vote in different areas.
For example:
• in your town or city
when you elect a new mayor
• in your country
when you elect a new president
• or at the European elections,
when you choose the new
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
Voting booth
A voting booth is a small closed area
in the polling station.
People go there by themselves
to vote in secret.
Voting slip
A voting slip is a paper
that people are given
when they go to vote.
On the voting slip
you write who you are voting for.
Work-Life Balance Directive
Work-life balance means having time
to do things outside of work.
The European Union has done a law about it.
It is called the work-life balance directive.
This law is very important.
Family members of people with intellectual disabilities
often find it difficult to find the time to support them.
With the new law,
they would be able to get more time off work
to support their family members.
The law is also important
for parents with intellectual disabilities.
They also need to have more time
for their children.
A better work-life balance is also part
of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
World Congress
The World Congress is organised
by Inclusion International once every four years.
It is a big event for self-advocates,
their families and for people who work
with people with intellectual disabilities.