PIP Activity 8: Reading and Understanding Signs - Complete Scoring Guide

Activity 8 covers reading and understanding signs, symbols, and words. This is PIP2 Question 10. It applies to anyone who has difficulty reading printed text or understanding written information, whether due to visual impairment, cognitive difficulties, or learning disabilities.

The Descriptors and Points

a. Can read and understand basic and complex written information unaided - 0 points.

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to read or understand basic or complex written information - 2 points. Glasses do NOT count (as they are considered normal). But magnifiers, screen readers, large-print formats, and coloured overlays DO count.

c. Needs prompting to read or understand complex written information - 2 points. Someone needs to encourage you to read letters or help you focus on the content.

d. Needs prompting to read or understand basic written information - 4 points.

e. Cannot read or understand signs, symbols, or words at all - 8 points.

"Basic" vs "Complex" Information

Basic: road signs, shop signs, bus numbers, simple labels, short text messages.

Complex: letters from the DWP, bank statements, medication leaflets, forms, long emails, news articles.

If you can read a shop sign but cannot understand a DWP letter without someone explaining it, you score on complex information (2 points). If you struggle with even basic signs and labels, you score higher.

Conditions That Score Here

Visual impairment, dyslexia, learning disabilities, brain injury, dementia, severe brain fog (fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, medication side effects), ADHD (cannot focus long enough to read), autism (difficulty processing written information), stroke (reading difficulties).