Access for ALL

We were thrilled that our Content Director was able to virtually attend the ACCESS FOR ALL: Plain Language is a Civil Right conference last month. The event was a collaboration between the Center for Plain Language, Clarity, and Plain Language Association International (PLAIN). The Lab was able to connect with field leaders and glean inspiration from the innovative work happening around the world.

A few of our favorite things (not exhaustive!)

• Discovering the work of Creative Contracts and their Comic Contracts in Cape Town, South Africa. Their innovative approach makes contracts inventive and accessible as they work to prioritize workers' rights through the process.

• Hearing effective strategies from different countries with successful coronavirus efforts. Yes, we are crushing on you, New Zealand!

• Learning about the important work between the plain language community and the International Standards Organization to define and continue to legitimize plain language around the world. We look forward to this process unfolding in the coming months.

• Hearing reflections from Dr. Annetta Cheek, a former government employee and a key advocate of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which required federal agencies to implement plain language practices.

You know that great feeling when you find the perfect term to describe an idea? Dana Chisnell of the National Conference of Citizenship introduced us to the term, plain interaction, in her keynote talk in describing the accessibility of processes. If you have attended a Clear Language Lab training before, you know that we often reflect on the world in which a text lives, so this term is the perfect fit.

We also want to give a shout out to the format itself. Of course, a plain language conference would choose a platform that was easy to use and engage with. We’re grateful for Attendify and how it allowed us to engage with folks from all over the world.

The Lab Report is Clear Language Lab’s blog and includes posts on various topics related to clear, effective communication. Questions or errors you want to report? Contact Tiara Whitlock, Program Manager, at tiara@litworks.org.

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