Project Literacy is a global campaign that is dedicated to building partnerships and driving action that will raise awareness of illiteracy as an urgent issue on the world’s agenda. The campaign and its imagery are designed to be hard-hitting so the images being used are dramatic. Take a look at the video and explore the alphabet here
Sign the petition here urging the UN to put literacy at the heart of every action to advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
In 2015 I started illustrating for the publisher Books Beyond Words, who produce books for adults who have learning disabilities. Telling stories through pictures, without the use of words, the books support empowerment and inclusion for people who don’t read words. They deal with many of contemporary life’s concerns, such as health, emotional and social issues. Having worked for several years in the learning disabilities sector, I had a particular interest in accessible communication, so this work immediately appealed to me. First, I was commissioned for two illustrations for a reprint of the ‘Going Into Hospital’ title. Since this book’s original publication in the 1990’s, the Hospital Passport format has been widely adopted by people with learning disabilities; it’s an accessible document carrying the user’s vital health data, their likes, dislikes, and cultural information. I produced an image of a Hospital Passport, and a patient using his Passport to help him communicate with a nurse.
For the full article click here.
It’s finally here. Beyond Words has gone mobile and created a new app to enrich the lives of the people you care about.
The BW Story App holds over 400 short picture stories and 1800+ pictures from across our entire back catalogue. Discover 25 years of our publishing history through a simple interface that allows you to access content from over 50 publications at the touch of a button.
Navigating the criminal justice system can be confusing, and frightening regardless of ability. Imagine being unable to read or to understand the all of the jargon which makes up the many documents and legal procedures. Imagine feeling like an observer while potentially life-changing decisions are made on your behalf. These are just some of the obstacles faced by people with learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.
Picture This is a project which gives creative freedom to people with learning disabilities to create stories that stimulate their imaginations and interest them. It is an innovative new project for publisher Beyond Words in partnership with Kent Libraries. The ‘Picture This – Story Sharing’ project, funded by Arts Council England, brought together three artists with nine Beyond Words book clubs for adults with learning disabilities, to produce three new books. These will be an extension of the Books Beyond Words series focussing on fun, lighter reads for leisure.
The following article is by Jim Blair and published by the British Journal of Family Medicine, March/April 2016
Many people with learning disabilities are not getting their annual health check, facing increased risk factors to a number of diseases as a result. This article considers what more can be done to help those most at risk
In March, the Alliance and Mind hosted a drop-in session at Parliament to meet MPs and Peers as part of activity around the one-year anniversary of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation. We were incredibly pleased that 24 Parliamentarians came to see us, including Ministers and Shadow Ministers and we asked them to become Charter Champions to help us promote positive messages around physical activity and mental health.
We have a selection of 12 books for you in our spring sale, all for only £7 each*. We have also bundled these into a limited book set at only £80, saving you £38. Please follow the links below to see 6 of the selected titles. This special offer will be available for a limited amount of time so make sure to take a look now while stocks last! You can browse the full list here.
I’m wearing a different volunteering hat today – It’s the Volunteering with East Sussex County Council Libraries Service Hat! I thought I’d share with you a brilliant initiative, which is currently being run in many libraries across the country. Maybe it is something you could get involved with?
Over the past couple of years I have been involved in the setting up of a reading group for people with communication difficulties at a local library here in East Sussex. For me it was my first step in coming alongside those with learning difficulties or communication problems. I believe it has been as empowering for them as it has been for me.
The final editorial meetings have taken place. Our advisors, including people with learning disabilities, have reviewed, edited and OK’d the final selection of images for two new Beyond Words books. The final is in production, and artists Beth Webb (Going to the Dentist) and Mike Nicholson (Rose Gets in Shape) get to finalise over 15 months of work. During the production of these two books we have hit an all-time record with our trialling, reaching over 200 people, who have had an input in shaping the final products.
