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Asking for changes so you can be safe and take part

A man with a speech bubble that says "I can ask for things to be better".

About Easy Read

Easier words with pictures to help explain some ideas.

You can ask for changes

A woman pointing to a health chart while talking to a doctor who is listening and taking notes. — You have the right to ask for changes in health care.

A man talking to a doctor who is smiling and listening carefully. — You can ask for changes that help you to:

Three smiling individuals in white t-shirts giving thumbs-up gestures. — Be Safe

A doctor showing a woman health information using pictures. The woman is smiling and giving a thumbs-up. — Understand

A man and a doctor smiling and looking at two healthcare options to make a decision together. — Take Part

A man asking a doctor for easier information. The doctor shows him a health guide with pictures. — These changes are sometimes called reasonable accommodations

A man smiling beside his support person, who has her arm around his shoulder. — For example
You can visit a doctor’s office before your appointment to feel ready

A smiling man holding an Easy Read health document with pictures and simple words. — Get health information in Easy read

An older woman and a young girl smiling and looking at a pink tablet together. — Get help knowing what medicine to take and when

Smiling young man in a colourful plaid shirt with a white background. — Changes like this can make health care better for you.

You have the right to ask for changes to health care.

Changes that allow you to be safe and take part are sometimes called “reasonable accommodations”. It means doing things differently, in a way that helps you join in.

For example, you might ask to:

visit a 's office before your appointment, so you feel ready and safe
have a quiet place to wait before your health appointment
get health information you can understand instead of information that confuses you
get help knowing what medicine to take, when.

Changes like this can help make health care fairer. It can help you get the care you need and want.

Resources

Information and tools to help you ask for changes to health care

: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
: 3 years ago

Questions to ask your health worker to get the support you need

This Easy Read fact sheet has questions you can ask your GP, nurse or other health worker about changes that make health care more fair. These changes are called reasonable adjustments.

: Council for Intellectual Disability
: 2 years ago

Checklists to help health services make reasonable adjustments

These checklists say reasonable adjustments that health professionals and administrative staff can make to help include people with intellectual disability.

: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
: 6 years ago