Using Clear Language
Walk into almost any community service organization and what do you see? Bulletin boards, posters, signs, brochures, forms, newsletters and so on. Using clear language is a way to reduce barriers and widen access to printed resources. When you use clear language you can:
- Encourage participants to read your organization’s information.
- Make newsletters, brochures, flyers and forms accessible to people with literacy challenges.
- Improve readers’ response to requests and calls to action.
- Reduce miscommunication with readers.
- Encourage readers to participate in agency activities, programs and services.
- Encourage readers to support you organization’s aims, activities and services.
- Help readers feel more included in community life.
- Improve communication between your organization and the local community.
Widening Access project staff developed resources for workshops and consultations about clear language. You are welcome to use and adapt the resources for non-profit purposes.
- Introduction (PDF - 96k)
- Writing for Your Readers Workshop Plan (PDF - 75k)
- Power Point Presentation [Workshop] (1.7 MB)
- Learning Connections Newsletter [Handout] (PDF - 164k)
- Clear Writing Checklist [Handout] (PDF - 45k)
- Clear Language Policy template [Handout] (PDF - 88k)
