Photographs are a great way of making information easier for people with learning difficulties. The message is 'more instant' and you don't need to learn a new symbol language to understand them. There are a few options available to you if you want to try using photos:

The easiest way to get your hands on some stock photography is to buy a pack of photo clip-art. These usually contain several thousand images, although many of them are variations of similar images.

Unfortunately, most photo clip-art packages contain images of people that at best stereotype, and at worst can be racist, sexist or show disabled people in a very unpositive light. In fact, if you look closely, the few pictures of disabled people there are (usually in wheelchairs) are in fact non-disabled people who appear in other photos without wheelchairs. Be very careful about the images you use - however, objects like phones, food and money for example, tend to be OK.

Photosymbols is the first big set of photographs that have been made to make information easier for people with learning disabilities. Many of the photos on this website are from Photosymbols.

Find out more from Photosymbols web page

Digital cameras have caused something of a revolution, and now they are more affordable than ever. Instead of using film, digital cameras store pictures on a memory card - a bit like a computer disk. This makes it easy to take the photos you need, and then place them straight into your document on the computer.

Digital cameras normally have a small screen on the back, so you can check to see if the photo you've just taken is OK. The cheaper ones are usually very easy to use, and can give great results. Check out some of these names:

Fuji digital cameras
Canon digital cameras
Kodak digital cameras
Nikon digital cameras

For your complete digital camera setup, you'll need a camera, memory card (there are a few types, so check which type your camera uses), and batteries - although some cameras have a rechargeable battery built in.

It's also a good idea to get a memory card reader. This plugs into a USB port on your computer. You take the memory card out of the camera, and put it in the reader. The card appears on your computer as a disk.

Digital cameras can eat a set of batteries very quickly. Consider getting rechargeable batteries and a charger. You'll save a lot of money in the long run, and today's NiMH batteries last a long long time.

One final thought on using digital cameras. Make sure you get meaningful consent from anyone you photograph. If you need advice on this, send us an email. We've got some samples of 'consent forms' and 'model release forms' you can use.

If you want something a bit special, then you could pay a photographer to take some photos for you - although this can cost a lot more money. Some groups have done this, and had some great pictures back.

If you decide to pay a photographer, ask around to see if anyone you know can recommend someone. Otherwise, look in your local Yellow Pages, and meet them before to make sure they're the right photographer for you.