- Understanding how to apply plain language guidelines
- Understanding when to apply plain language guidelines
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# Why Plain Language
Helps make text accessible to the non-scientific public (including disabled people).
- Important when you do research about people with disabilities
- Helps make sure that study participants or other interested parties can learn about your research
- The Plain Writing Act of, described on [plainlanguage.gov](https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/), "requires federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use."
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# Why Plain Language
Helps make text accessible to the non-scientific public (including disabled people).
Can also directly help someone with an intellectual disability.
- [WCAG guidelines](https://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG3/2021/how-tos/clear-words/) state that plain language also "benefit individuals who live with cognitive and learning disabilities, language impairments, memory impairments, and autism."
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Somewhat different requirements for these different audiences
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# Plain Language Guidelines
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@@ -114,3 +133,16 @@ We are asking you to focus on this subset
# Plain Language Resources
- If you have any questions or want examples about any of these concepts, you can look at the [PlainLanguage.gov website](https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/).
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# Assignment
You get to choose what to apply this to and when
- Can be part of an existing class assignment
- Can be a response to a reading question
- Can be other writing you are doing
- Can be the text of video you are making for some reason
Important to keep it short and be specific about your audience. This is *very hard* to do right. Keep it very short to make that more feasible.
