Co-founders Pete Le Grys and Karl Seymour have worked together in the field of accessible information since 1993, initially for health and social care services, and later as the company 'Real Voice Media'.

 

We developed photosymbols as a solution to our own needs, as we often struggled to find suitable pictures to go with the words we were writing. Using our design, photography and media expertise, we started to create images for projects we were working on.

 

Working closely with speaking up groups, we began to develop more and more ideas for pictures that were relevant to the lives of people with learning disabilities. In June 2004 we released the first version of Photosymbols, which called 'Worth 1000 Words'.

 

We continue to develop the range of pictures, as well as doing easy read design and training. We have strong links with the self-advocacy movement and continue to support several groups in the south west of England.

 

Pete has a background in teaching, day services, social work, self advocacy support and user participation. He can often be seen scribbling on a flipchart as a graphic facilitator at meetings and conferences. Behind the scenes, he's the one who sneaks sweeties in with the packs we send out. He lives in Bristol with his partner and son. When he's not working, expect to find him keeping fit, ju-jitsu training, gardening or learning the guitar.

 

Karl is a trained graphic designer. His interest in design and communication began while working at a school for children with autism in the early 90's. He likes to experiment with different ways of communicating ideas, and thinks that designs for people with learning disabilities should look as good as for anyone else! Karl lives in London with his wife and dog, and enjoys long walks across Wimbledon Common, travel, cooking and music.

 

Models choose a made-up name for their character to keep their identity private, but here's a little about some of the characters you'll come across in the world of photosymbols.

 

Ameem

Ameem is involved in her local speaking up group. She is a hindu and proud of her culture. Ameem is alway full of ideas, many of which have translated into finished photosymbols. Expect to see more of Ameem in future editions.

 

 

 

Lauren

Lauren has worked on photosymbols since the very beginning. She is a talented actor, and also likes to write plays about her personal experiences.

Find Lauren in many of the photosymbols, including pictures about friendship, college, shopping and emergencies.

 

 

James

James loves to get into character. He likes to live an independent life, and never lets his disability stop him from trying anything. His warmth and friendship always spread to the other models on a photo shoot. He has worked on photosymbols since the start, and worked with Karl on the award winning 'Buzz Magazine' during the 90's.

 

Patricia

Patricia is full of energy when it comes to photosymbols. She loves the camera as much as it loves her! She also loves cooking and makes a fantastic curry goat. She plays the 'boss' in photosymbols 2, and if she keeps coming up with ideas at the current rate, she'll be in plenty more pictures to come.

 

Fraser

If there's one man who knows about 'cool', it's Fraser. When he's not making photosymbols, he's starring in independent british films, or involved in the self advocacy movement. He played a big part in pictures about the law when he gets cuffed and put in the back of a police car.