Panel on Legal Access for Everyone: Plain Language, Easy Read, and AI

Virtual on Zoom

Moderator: Johanna Berglein 

We will discuss how we can make legal information accessible to all. 

This is a side-event to the United Nations COSP18 conference organized by YAI.

Join us for a dynamic conversation on building a more inclusive society through better communication.

This panel brings together experts in communication, law, academia, and technology to explore how plain language, Easy Read, and AI can remove legal barriers. We will hear success stories, discuss how we can navigate the balance between clarity and accuracy, and discover how the latest AI tools advance language accessibility.

Panelists:  

Ulla Bohman, Easy Language Consultant, Sweden 

Ulla Bohman has over 20 years of experience in accessible communication. She runs training and adapts public information with a human rights perspective. Ulla will share insights from legal accessibility projects and the role of Swedish law in promoting Easy Language.  

Laís Silveira Costa, Sérgio Arouca National School of Public Health, Brazil 

Laís Silveira Costa is a researcher at Brazil’s Fiocruz National School of Public Health, focusing on disability rights and inclusive health systems. She coordinates postgraduate programs that involve people with disabilities and promote accessible legal and health communication. Her talk explores how Easy Read adaptations improve ethical research and challenge ableism in healthcare.  

Tony Bowman, The SOLD Network, Scotland 

Tony Bowman is a UK-based social worker and advocate with decades of experience supporting people with learning disabilities in the justice system. He works with the SOLD Network to address communication barriers for neurodivergent people in conflict with the law. Tony will present the development and impact of Scotland’s Easy Read letter of rights.  

Carlo Eugeni, PhD, Professor at the University of Leeds, UK 

Carlo Eugeni is a media accessibility expert and co-founder of the Easy Language International Network. He has led research on live subtitling, Easy Language, and inclusive communication across media and legal contexts. In his presentation, Carlo will introduce the new app developed through the iDEM project, which uses AI to simplify complex texts into easy to read—advancing accessibility in areas like court reporting, public communication, and the metaverse.  

Karl Seymour, Co-founder, Photosymbols, UK 

Karl Seymour is the co-founder of Photosymbols, a UK-based organization known for its leading inclusive photo library and creation of accessible materials for people with learning disabilities. He recently launched EasyMaker, an AI tool built on ChatGPT that converts complex text into Easy Read with images and audio. Karl will discuss the tool’s development and real-world applications. 

Who should attend? If you work in communications, advocacy, or public service, this is your key to learn about new technologies and best practices.