Here you can read how to choose a digital tool, introduce it and use it safely in care and support. There are guides that take you through step by step, pieces that explain one concept and checklists to tick off. We write them mainly for care professionals and organisations, in plain words and with the sources included.
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Doing something, step by step.
Ten steps to choose a digital tool that fits your client's question and what they can do. You start with the goal, then look at privacy, accessibility, costs and evidence, and you decide together with your client.
A guide to making a digital tool together with clients, care workers and the organisation. In ten steps: writing down the question, inviting people, making something simple to talk about, testing and then building.
Ten steps to introduce a digital tool in your team. You start with the problem you want to solve, try it out on a small scale first and involve clients and colleagues. Then you look together at what it achieves, and decide whether to carry on.
A letter, leaflet or PDF is accessible when people can also read it with a screen reader, on a phone, or when reading is hard for them. You set up most of this in your word processor, with real headings, alt text, enough contrast and clear language. Then you check the file, save it properly as a PDF, and ask someone it is meant for to read it.
An accessible website is one that everyone can use, including people who cannot see well, do not use a mouse or find reading hard. You start with an overview and a first check of your own. Then you have it tested, make agreements with your web developer and suppliers, and keep it up to date every year.
Psychoeducation is explaining what is going on, so that your client understands where problems come from and what helps. You can ask your client to do something themselves: draw, choose cards, come up with an image. Base the content on reliable sources and on the treating practitioner, and check together whether it has come across.
With video calling, your client doesn't have to travel, and someone close to them or an interpreter can join in. It doesn't suit every question or every home situation. This guide describes how to decide together, practise beforehand, use your organisation's program and agree what to do if the connection drops.
With pictures, an appointment card, a daily plan or a step card, you make visible what you would otherwise only say. This helps people who find reading hard, people with a mild intellectual disability or autism, and people who are under stress. You choose one goal per card, make it together with your client and check that it is right.
In an accessibility statement you say how well your website or app works for people with a disability, what does not work well yet and when you will fix it. Government organisations must publish one, as must many businesses that sell something online. Other organisations can choose to have one. This guide explains what goes in it and how to write it.
A guide in ten steps for letters and messages to clients in plain Dutch at language level B1: the most important point at the top, everyday words, short and active sentences, and writing about people with respect. With example sentences and a rewritten letter, and what to do if it still does not work when you test it.
One idea, in plain words.
Co-creation means making something together: you develop something with the people who will use it. Clients, experts by experience and care professionals then do not just share their ideas, they also help decide. This piece explains what it is, when to use it and what to look out for.
An estimated 1.1 million people in the Netherlands have an lvb (in Dutch: licht verstandelijke beperking; a mild intellectual disability). The internet can give them more control over their own lives, but it is also often hard for them. A usable tool is clear, works with pictures, needs few steps and has an alternative without a screen. Much of this comes from one small study from 2022.
Operable is the second principle of WCAG. Everyone must be able to use your website, including with just a keyboard, with speech or with a shaking hand. For this, you need things like a visible focus, enough time and buttons that are big enough.
Perceivable is the first principle of WCAG. All information on your website must reach everyone, including people who have trouble seeing or hearing. It covers things like text for images, captions for videos, enough contrast and text that you can make bigger.
In the Netherlands, about 3 million people aged 16 to 75 have difficulty with reading, writing and/or maths. Many people feel ashamed and keep it hidden for a long time. As a care professional, you can notice signs, talk about it, adapt your own explanations and help your client find a Taalhuis (a local place where adults can learn language and digital skills) or a course.
Robust is the fourth principle of WCAG. Your website must work well with browsers, devices and assistive technology such as a screen reader. That works when buttons and messages say in the code what they are and what they do. You can also read which questions to ask a supplier, for example about a neighbourhood calendar.
Self-direction means that you set the direction of your own life, even if you need help. It is about deciding for yourself, not about doing everything yourself. Whether a digital tool helps with this depends on who chooses, who else can see what is in it and who can stop.
The Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming (AVG) is the Dutch name for the GDPR, the European law that protects personal data. Data about someone's health gets extra protection. This piece describes what that means for your work: email, photos, apps and chatbots. If in doubt, ask your organisation's data protection officer.
Understandable is the third principle of WCAG. Visitors must understand what is on the page and what happens when they do something. This includes help in a fixed place, forms with clear instructions and error messages that tell you how to fix the problem. The example is about a text message code that you cannot paste.
Digital inclusion means that everyone can take part now that more and more things happen online. That does not happen by itself. As a care professional or organisation, you can ask about it, make warm referrals, keep a route without a screen open, and test your own tools together with clients.
E-health is the use of digital information and communication to support or improve health and care. Examples are an app that keeps track of how you feel, and video calling with your care professional.
B1 is one of the six language levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. A text in plain Dutch at language level B1 uses everyday words and short, active sentences. Most adults understand such a text, but for people who find reading difficult, B1 is often still too hard. Then A2 is a better fit.
WCAG is the international standard for accessible websites and apps. The requirements are divided over three levels: A, AA and AAA. Level AA is the usual standard, and WCAG 2.2 is the latest version. Here you can read how a requirement is built up, what conformance means and what the rules in the Netherlands ask for.
Points to tick off. You can print them.
20 points to check for yourself how accessible your organisation's website is. For most of them you do not need any technical knowledge. Each point says how to test it, or gives an example. For a full picture, also have a specialist examine your website.
20 points to check before you send clients a letter, leaflet, web text or message in plain Dutch at language level B1. Each point has a short explanation or an example.
Points to check before you use an app with a client: what data the app asks for, where the data goes and what your organisation needs to arrange. If you cannot tick a point, ask your organisation's data protection officer.
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