Inclusion North brought together people with dysphagia and people who support them to share experiences, identify key messages and create practical resources that help people better understand swallowing difficulties and recognise when they might need support.
Inclusion North brought together a group of people with lived experience of dysphagia.
This included people who have dysphagia and people who support them.
We worked together to create easy read information about dysphagia.
We talked about what dysphagia is, shared our experiences, and created simple guidance to help other people understand it.
What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia means it can be difficult to swallow food and drink.
Some people cough or choke when eating or drinking.
Some people feel like food is stuck in their throat.
Some people find it hard to chew or swallow.
Dysphagia can be serious. Food or drink can go the wrong way and make you unwell.
The dysphagia pathway
We made an easy read pathway.
This is a simple self-check.
It asks questions about eating and drinking and helps you think about any problems you may have.
It can help you decide if you need support.
You can take your answers to a doctor, nurse, or speech and language therapist.
They can help you understand what to do next.
You can see the guide in the downloads at the side of the screen
Our video about dysphagia
We also made a video.
It explains what dysphagia is, shares our top tips, and shows how to use the pathway.
Why this matters
It is important to notice problems with swallowing early.
Getting help can keep you safe when eating and drinking, help prevent chest infections, and support you to stay healthy.
The purpose of the project
The purpose of the project was to co-produce accessible, easy read information about dysphagia with people who have lived experience. Inclusion North brought together people with dysphagia and people who support them to share experiences, identify key messages and create practical resources that help people better understand swallowing difficulties and recognise when they might need support.
What has been delivered
The project created information designed to support conversations with health professionals such as GPs, nurses, and speech and language therapists.
The project has produced a range of accessible dysphagia resources, including:
An easy read guide explaining what dysphagia is and how it can affect people.
A simple dysphagia pathway/self-check tool to help people recognise possible swallowing difficulties which can be shared with health professionals.
An easy read video explaining dysphagia, sharing practical tips, and demonstrating how to use the pathway.
You can see the easy read guide in our down loads
Why the work matters
Dysphagia can have serious health consequences if it is not recognised early. As the Learning from the early Deaths of People with a Learning Disability Reports (LeDer) have shown, aspiration pneumonia has been a main cause of death for many people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Difficulties with swallowing can increase the risk of choking, chest infections, poor nutrition, and reduced wellbeing. This work helps make information more accessible for people with learning disabilities and others who may benefit from easy read resources, supporting earlier identification of problems and safer eating and drinking.
Impact, outcomes and learning
This project demonstrated the value of co-production and lived experience in creating meaningful health information. By working directly with people affected by dysphagia, the resources were shaped in a way that is practical, accessible, and easy to understand. The project has increased awareness of dysphagia, created tools that can support earlier identification of swallowing difficulties, and highlighted the importance of accessible communication in healthcare. A key learning from the work was that people are more likely to engage with health information when it is clear, visual, and developed with people who have direct experience.
