Making Bills Easier to Understand: Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity

A link to an easy read version summary of this research

Our Vision Our Future (OVOF) is a charity run by and for adults with learning disabilities. The charity provides adults with voices, helping them to make their own choices and live more independently. One of OVOF’s goals is to make information easier to understand so that everyone can fully take part in daily life. This project helps with that and focuses on making household bills—such as gas and electricity—easier to read and manage for adults with learning disabilities. Many members of OVOF want to live independently but often need help from family members to understand and pay their bills. Because of this, our research will explore how to make bills clearer so they can manage them on their own.

Working Together
We have already spoken with OVOF members, who shared their struggles with understanding utility bills. They will be co-researchers in this project, meaning they are helping to decide what to study, and how we will study it and will work with us to find solutions. OVOF members will also review our findings and help us to share the results beyond the university. We will hold a showcase event in March 2026 where participants can help present the research findings.

How We Will Do This
We will use creative and practical methods to explore ways to improve bills. These will include:

• Workshops – Monthly group sessions where OVOF members share their experiences and work on solutions.
• Drawing and Storytelling – Creating pictures and stories together about OVOF’s experiences with household bills.
• Designing Better Bills – Working together to create a Toolkit to provide a clearer, easier-to-read bill format.
• Feedback and Discussion – Reviewing and improving the Toolkit design to make sure it works for everyone.
• Creating a Podcast – Sharing our experiences and solutions with a wider audience.

To keep everything clear, we will use simple language and visual aids in all activities.

What We Will Create
By the end of the project, we will create: 

• A Podcast – A platform where OVOF members can share their experiences and ideas for making bills easier to understand. The podcast will be available online for anyone to listen to.
• A Toolkit for Utility Providers – A guide with practical tips and design ideas to help utility companies make their bills clearer and more accessible.
• An Open Access Journal Article – A research paper written with input from participants, available online for anyone to read and use to improve accessibility.

Our Goal
We want to help adults with learning disabilities feel more confident managing their household bills and finances, reducing their need for support from others. We also want utility companies to understand the importance of clear and accessible information for everyone. By working together, we can create real change in how utility bills are designed, making daily life easier and more independent for adults with learning disabilities.