Building Bridges with Easy Read: Our Visit from Sosohan, Korea to London!

On Friday 11th July 2025, we welcomed four guests from South Korea, and what happened next reminded us that the work we do at People First is part of something much bigger than we imagined.

Our visitors were from Sosohan Communication, a South Korean social enterprise that creates and provides Easy Read information nationally. From the moment we met, it was clear we had more in common than we thought.

Who is Sosohan?

First, a little background.

The word “Sosohan” in Korean means small, but not in a limiting way. It’s a word used in artwork to describe moments of “little happiness” or “big happiness” the kind that comes from everyday things, from meaningful connections, and from simple, honest communication.

That’s what Sosohan stands for. So their name means “small communication” and their mission is to make sure that no one is left out of information, not even in the smallest moments of daily life.

They believe Easy Read isn’t just for people with developmental disabilities or learning difficulties. It’s also for foreigners, children, elderly people, and anyone who might struggle with complex language. As they put it:

“Easy information is useful for everyone.”

And we couldn’t agree more.

What They Do and How They Do It:

Sosohan are experts in creating accessible information. Their process is thoughtful and structured, with a clear focus on both inclusion and quality.

Here’s how they work:

1. Quotation & Agreement: They first agree on what needs to be made and how much it will cost.

2. Planning: They rewrite the content in simple, clear language and plan out the images needed.

3. Production & Design: Their team creates Easy Read layouts using helpful visuals and plain words.

4. Inspection: Here’s the key part! People with developmental disabilities review the content to check it’s actually easy to understand.

5. Correction: Based on feedback, they revise and improve the work.

6. Final Production: The finished Easy Read material is delivered and shared.

It’s a process that mirrors much of what we do at People First, and it shows how far a little bit of clarity, care, and co-production can go.

Meeting Minds and Sharing Moments

The Sosohan team was made up of:

• Jeongyeon, the CEO and visionary leader

• Suyeon, an inclusive designer

• Sagang, a (need to find out what her job role is)

• Joo, their warm and attentive interpreter

From People First, we had:

• Sam and Ray, who joined in person and shared personal insights

• Zoe, who joined via Zoom and answered important questions about Easy Read translation

• Michailia, who supported the meeting, shared ideas, and kept the session on track, a vital role in making sure the space stayed focused and respectful

We met at the Voluntary Islington Action offices, where we gave a presentation on how we create Easy Read materials, what our values are, and how lived experience shapes the way we work.

On AI, Accessibility, and Empathy

A part of the discussion centred around AI (Artificial Intelligence). Sosohan asked us if we’ve started using it to help with Easy Read work.

We were honest: we’ve experimented with it. And while it’s a fun tool to play with, we’ve found that it often misses the human part.

AI sometimes oversimplifies things so much that the meaning gets lost. It can strip out the emotion and context, and often ends up making more work for the person trying to translate or check the text.

We explained that while we’re open to using AI in the future, we believe it still needs to improve its empathy and understanding.

Sosohan agreed. It was refreshing to see we had the same concerns, even across such different contexts.

Gifts and Gratitude

At the end of the meeting, We took pictures and shared hugs. Also, the Sosohan team surprised us with some beautiful gifts from South Korea:

Coffee

Fridge magnets

Local snacks

And cute stationery

It was such a kind gesture, and we were genuinely touched by their warmth and generosity. You could feel that this wasn’t just a professional visit, it was the beginning of a real friendship.

Looking Ahead - Korean People First

During our chat, the Sosohan team informed us about Korean People First, a group made up of self-advocates with learning difficulties and disabilities in South Korea.

They work on many of the same things we do:

• Speaking up about rights

• Campaigning for inclusion

• Creating their own materials

• Holding decision-makers to account

We’re now looking into building a connection with Korean People First. Because building global solidarity between people with lived experience means we:

• Learn from each other

• Share ideas and tools

• Stand together in international advocacy

• Strengthen the voice of people with learning difficulties worldwide

Whether it’s speaking in Parliament, changing language in policy documents, or simply making sure someone understands their housing letter, our work has impact. And when that work is shared across countries, the impact grows even more.

From London to Korea?

To top it all off, Sosohan invited us to visit their organisation in South Korea. Imagine that, People First members flying across the world to continue this exchange. To see, first hand, how another country does Easy Read. To connect with Korean self-advocates. To share the work we do here in the UK.

We hope one day soon, we’ll get to take them up on that invitation. It would be an opportunity not just to travel, but to grow the movement, share lived experience, and build something truly global.

What This Meeting Meant

This visit reminded us that the work we do is part of something much bigger than our community or even our country.

It’s part of a global movement to make the world:

• More understandable

• More accessible

• More equal

From Sosohan’s belief in “small communication” to our guiding value of “nothing about us without us,” we realised that no matter where we live, our goals are shared.

We want the same thing:

A world where people with learning difficulties can speak up, be heard, and live with dignity.

And we’re doing it, together.