Re: Notes and Resources on Plain Language

Additional resources:

Models for Readability Testing (*includes Grade Level based on U.S. Department of Education standards)

Flesch–Kincaid readability tests * – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch%E2%80%93Kincaid_readability_tests


The Coleman-Liau Index * – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleman%E2%80%93Liau_index


The Gunning Fog Index * – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunning_fog_index


The SMOG (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) Index * – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMOG


Common European Framework of Reference – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages


International English Language Testing System – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_English_Language_Testing_System


Tools

Readable.io
https://readable.io/


Hemingway App
http://hemingwayapp.com/


Organizations

The Center for Plain Language
https://centerforplainlanguage.org/learning-training/five-steps-plain-language/


Plain Language at the National Institutes of Health
https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/plain-language


The Plain Language Institute, South Africa
http://www.plain-language.co.za/


Articles

Tell It To Me Straight: Plain Language in UX – Linn Vizard (2016)
https://blogs.adobe.com/creativecloud/tell-it-to-me-straight-plain-language-in-ux/


Writing for the Web – Nielsen Norman Group
https://www.nngroup.com/topic/writing-web/


Writing for the Web – Usability.gov
https://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/writing-for-the-web.html


What is plain language? – Cheryl Stephens
http://www.cherylstephens.com/plain-language-defined.html


People

Amy Hasselkus, Health Communicator and Speech-Language Pathologist, George Mason University
Jennifer Pearce, MPA Health literacy and patient engagement consultant, Plain Language Health
John Rochford, Instructor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Tim Boland, Computer Scientist/Access Coordinator, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Dr. Deborah Dahl, Principal, Conversational Technologies
Dr. Sarah Slabbert, Owner at The Plain Language Institute
Whitney Quesenbery, Co-Founder at Center for Civic Design
Dr. Russell Willerton, Professor, Poise State University



Charles Hall
UX Architect, Technology

t / 248.203.8723  m / 248.225.8179
e / charles.hall@mrm-mccann.com
skype / charles.h.all
360 W Maple, Birmingham MI 48009
w / www.mrm-mccann.com

[id:5D510C5C-1CCD-479C-A466-98D1FC580B9B]
Creativity. Technology. Performance.
From: "Hall, Charles (DET-MRM)" <Charles.Hall@mrm-mccann.com>
Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 11:56 AM
To: Silver Task Force <public-silver@w3.org>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Notes and Resources on Plain Language
Resent-From: Silver Task Force <public-silver@w3.org>
Resent-Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 11:56 AM

First, the focus of the discussion that emerged during and following the Design Sprint was split between 2 main considerations:

  1.  Regardless of terminology choice between “Plain Language” or “Simple Language”, should we adopt an existing external standard or create one?
     *   Does the fact that the standard already exists lend credibility to Silver and align to its goals?
     *   Is there any licensing or restrictions involved in using the standard?
  2.  Requirements (or guidelines) – likely in the form of a style guide – will need to be defined for explicitly how to write criteria and any supporting ‘understanding’ documents in plain language in EACH supported language.

Here are some resources I have located for consideration when discussing plain language:

W3C Reading Level Understanding SC 3.1.5
https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/meaning-supplements.html

Cites being ‘adapted from’ the UNESCO standard based on education level.

CRPD Article 2 – Definitions, Plain Language
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-2-definitions.html


U.S. Government Publishing Office, Plain Writing Act of 2010
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ274/content-detail.html

Supported by 2 Executive Orders and Office of Management and Budget Guidelines

Federal Plain Language Guidelines (U.S.)
https://www.plainlanguage.gov/


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Plain English Handbook
https://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf


European Commission Publications, How to Write Clearly
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/bb87884e-4cb6-4985-b796-70784ee181ce/language-en


Gov.UK Guidance for Government Digital Publishing and Services
https://www.gov.uk/topic/government-digital-guidance/content-publishing


Information for all – European Standards [Lifelong Learning Programme & Inclusion Europe]
http://easy-to-read.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/EN_Information_for_all.pdf [pdf]

How to Write Standards – ISO (2016)
https://www.iso.org/publication/PUB100335.html

https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/archive/pdf/en/how-to-write-standards.pdf [pdf]

What Is Plain Language? – Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
http://plainlanguagenetwork.org/plain-language/what-is-plain-language/


Plain language: accessibility for information – Whitney Quesenbery (2014) Article
https://rosenfeldmedia.com/a-web-for-everyone/plain-language-accessibility-for-information/

Plain language: accessibility for information – Whitney Quesenbery (2016) Slide Deck
https://www.slideshare.net/whitneyq/plain-language-is-accessibility-for-content


3.1.5 – Reading Level (Level AAA) – Luke McGrath, WUHCAG (2014)
https://www.wuhcag.com/reading-level/


Inclusivity, Gestalt Principles, and Plain Language in Document Design – Jennifer Turner and Jessica Schomberg (2016)
http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2016/accessibility/


Plain Legal Language General Resources – Clarity International
http://www.clarity-international.net/plain-language-resources/general-resouces/


Plain Language – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language



Finally, I would consider this required reading for anyone discussing or working on translating the current WCAG SCs into plain language, since this effort is exactly that:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines—for People Who Haven’t Read Them – Alan Dalton (2017)
https://24ways.org/2017/wcag-for-people-who-havent-read-them/



Charles Hall
UX Architect, Technology

t / 248.203.8723  m / 248.225.8179
e / charles.hall@mrm-mccann.com
skype / charles.h.all
360 W Maple, Birmingham MI 48009
w / www.mrm-mccann.com

[id:5D510C5C-1CCD-479C-A466-98D1FC580B9B]
Creativity. Technology. Performance.

This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message.  If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the message.  Thank you very much.