--- layout: presentation title: Plain Language --Week N-- description: Accessibility class: middle, center, inverse --- background-image: url(img/people.png) .left-column50[ # Week 2: Plain Language {{site.classnum}}, {{site.quarter}} ] --- name: normal layout: true class: --- # Important Reminder ## This is an important reminder ## Make sure zoom is running and recording!!! ## Make sure captioning is turned on --- [//]: # (Outline Slide) # Learning Goals for today - Understanding how to apply plain language guidelines - Understanding when to apply plain language guidelines --- # 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 2010, described on [plainlanguage.gov](https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/), "requires federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use." --- # 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." -- Somewhat different requirements for these different audiences --- # Plain Language Guidelines We are asking you to focus on this subset .left-column50[ - Use simple words - Use positive language - Use short paragraphs - Use short sentences - Avoid jargon ] .right-column50[ - Use active voice - Use present tense - Use examples - Use headers - Use transition words ] --- # Use Simple Words - as a means ofto - at the present timenow --- # Use Positive Language - Avoid double negatives - no fewer thanat least --- # Use Short Paragraphs and Sentences - Consider if a clause should become a new sentence --- # Avoid Jargon - Sometimes the complex word isn't necessary - If you must use jargon, define it --- # Use Active Voice - The lake was polluted by the companyThe company polluted the lake - A good check to see if you're using passive voice: are you using - A form of to be (e.g., am, is, are, was, be, being, been) - A verb ending in -ed --- # Use Present Tense - Don't: These sections describe types of information that would satisfy the application requirements of Circular A-110 as it would apply to this grant program. - Do: These sections tell you how to meet the requirements of Circular A-110 for this grant program. --- # Use Examples - Especially for more complicated topics --- # Use Transition Words - Use words: for instance, also, however, to summarize - Echo previous ideas - Avoid ambiguous this --- # Use Headers - Preferably, use headers that are built into platforms (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Word, EdStem) - If those are not available, styling text in bold or underlined can still help visual readers - Live Demo! --- # 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/). ---