Neurological Conditions

Welcome to the neurological conditions section of the resource library. Did you know that in the UK, 1 in 6 people have a neurological condition? 14% of the social care budget for 2013/14 was spent on people living with neurological conditions, and unfortunately this number is increasing. There are over 600 types of neurological conditions recognised in the UK, which can be broadly split into the following: sudden onset conditions (such as spinal cord injuries or stroke), intermittent conditions (such as epilepsy or migraine), progressive conditions (such as Parkinson’s Disease or motor neurone disease) and stable neurological conditions (such as cerebral palsy in adults). As such a large number of the UK population is affected by one or more of these conditions, it is vital that health and care services in Hertfordshire have the best resources available to help them support individuals in their care to have the best quality of life.

The Neurological Alliance

The neurological alliance is a coalition of over 70 organisations working together to transform quality of life for people with neurological conditions. Click here for a list of all their associate members who work to support and advise individuals, carers and other people affected by a neurological condition.

Aphasia is when a person has difficulty with their language or speech. It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain (for example, after a stroke).

Making information accessible for people with Aphasia: A New Guide

Understanding and addressing the communication needs of individuals with aphasia is essential. The Stroke Association’s Accessible Information Guidelines offers practical tools and strategies to create clear, effective communication materials tailored for people affected by aphasia—a condition that impairs speech, reading, and writing, often following a stroke.

The guidelines centre on five key steps to improve communication. These include crafting short messages, using clear and concise sentences, choosing everyday words, ensuring a user-friendly layout with ample white space and simple borders, and organising messages into consistent, manageable sets.

Design and layout are crucial aspects of accessibility. Recommendations include using sans serif fonts like Arial in sizes between 14 and 18 points, incorporating meaningful and adult-appropriate images that match the text, and applying colour effectively to emphasise headings and provide organisational clarity.

The guidelines have broad applications, from adapting medical information and service details to improving personal communication. Practical advice on using tools like Microsoft Word ensures that anyone can create materials that are accessible and effective.

This guide empowers healthcare professionals, caregivers, and others working with people with aphasia to produce resources that enhance understanding and independence. By following these principles, we can support better communication and a higher quality of care for individuals living with aphasia.

For more details, visit the Stroke Association at stroke.org.uk or call their helpline at 0303 3033 100.