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Make It Plain: Accessibility and Usability Through Plain Language

Make It Plain: Accessibility and Usability Through Plain Language. #PlainLanguageForAll / #UofIWebCon University of IL Web Conference: April 2013. Angela M. Hooker @ AccessForAll ange la hooker.com. These are summary slides.

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Make It Plain: Accessibility and Usability Through Plain Language

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  1. Make It Plain:Accessibility and UsabilityThrough Plain Language #PlainLanguageForAll / #UofIWebCon University of IL Web Conference: April 2013 Angela M. Hooker @AccessForAll angelahooker.com

  2. These are summary slides • Thanks for viewing my slides! I’ve condensed and summarized what I presented in my session. • Please visit the links that I’ve included inside the slides—they’re underlined so you can find them easily. Also read the slide notes. • If you have trouble using these slides because of accessibility problems, please write to me at ange@angelahooker.com. Even accessibility fans make mistakes, and I want to learn from mine. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  3. The beauty of the web is … it’s a great place to have a conversation with your users @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  4. You want to: • Communicate your information so users will take action (buy, sell, read, subscribe, etc.) • Meet your users’ needs • Help them complete tasks or find important information @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  5. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  6. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  7. We’ve learned that we create technological barriers to our content, but sometimes, we also create barriers to understanding … with our words. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  8. Common content problems @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  9. The wrong people write content “ For ‘tis the sport to have the enginerhoist with his own petard, an’t shall go hard … WTH are you saying, Shakespeare? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  10. Perhaps it’s the institution The institution might dictate what content goes on the organization’s website. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  11. “In order to make people understand your organization’s materials, and get one’s point across, so that everyone knows what one means, it’s important that one doesn’t ramble on and use more words than necessary.” (Some content is wordy.) @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  12. Jargon hides meaning “We’re implementing a skills mix adjustment at Acme Corp.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  13. Slang or regional terms Some writers use slang and/or region or country-centric terms. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  14. “Pedantic” content Showy, extravagant words; overly precise; or formal: “The politicians pontificated about the failed budget.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  15. Forgetting the audience Those examples of bad content aren’t meaningful to users. People write content without considering the intendedand the potential audiences. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  16. Blaming the users Just because someone can’t understand your content doesn’t mean they are unintelligent. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  17. “ It’s not how you said it—it’s what you wrote or spoke. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  18. How can plain language help? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  19. Plain languageis … … writing that people can easily understand the first time they read or hear it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  20. Plain languageis … … usable and meets your users’ needs, so they can complete specific tasks on your site, social media channels, app, podcast, etc. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  21. Your users won’t have to read your content several times to understand it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  22. It reduces user frustration, because it boosts reading ease. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  23. People willrespect your “brand,” and see your site as authoritative (this is not limited to for-profit sites). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  24. You’ll retain more users, and your users will remain loyal to you. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  25. These benefits can widen your site’s appeal, audience,andinfluence. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  26. Don’t believe it! “But 75 percent of _____ users are _____ with an advanced degree!” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  27. Don’t believe it! “Plain language isn’t sophisticated, it’s ‘dumbed down,’ or doesn’t reflect the gravity of the topic without using big words.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  28. Plain language isn’t “dumbed down” content—it’s about clearly communicating with whomever reads or hears your information and meeting their needs. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  29. It doesn’t matter if you have valuable information if people can’t understand it, use it, react to it, or act on it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  30. Frustration = the back button Remember:Good content means access for everyone (or as many as possible)! @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  31. Using plain language supports “P-O-U-R” principles from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  32. WCAG 2.0 principles of accessibility Perceivable Operable Understandable Robust @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  33. The“understandable”principle “Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable. “This means that users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface (the content or operation cannot be beyond their understanding).” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  34. Plain language supports POUR Plain language makes your content accessible, and supports the goal of providing universal access for everyone (or as many as possible!). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  35. Consider users with different needs @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  36. Don’t forget … People with low literacy skills People with low language proficiency People with cognitive impairments People with autism/Asperger syndrome People with dyslexia People who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing People who are aging @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  37. For example … @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  38. Three people … A non-native English speaker A person who is cognitively impaired A person with autism It wasn’t scientific, but I tested two content examples @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  39. I asked for opinions … You’ve probably noticed the popular trend to ask a question in the form of an incomplete sentence: “What do you think “Got milk?” means? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  40. I asked for opinions … “Got milk?” The person who is cognitively impaired said, “What type of milk is got milk, and who’s asking me about it? “Do they want my milk? “Does someone think I have a cow?” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  41. I asked for opinions … “Got milk?” The person who is a non-native English speaker said, [After a sigh] “I have a hard time with questions like these. “I don’t know if someone’s asking me for advice or if they want something of mine.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  42. I asked for opinions … “Hope you can make this important session!” The person who has autism said, “Am I supposed to hope? “Is one person hoping? “Is a group of people hoping? “Is someone talking to Hope? “Is she (Hope) supposed to go to an important session? “Does someone want me to create a session? “Should Hope or I make a session important? How would we do that?” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  43. Here’s what you can do @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  44. Learn plain language mechanics Plain Language Guidelines from Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)http://www.plainlanguage.gov/howto/guidelines/FederalPLGuidelines/index.cfm The Center for Plain Language’s guidelineshttp://centerforplainlanguage.org/about-plain-language/guidelines-for-creating-plain-language-materials/ The Center for Plain Language’s checklisthttp://centerforplainlanguage.org/about-plain-language/checklist/ @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  45. Write foryour specific audience. AND Write for average comprehension. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  46. Don’t do this … ? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  47. ? (Don’t be “clever.”) @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  48. Assume that your audience is intelligent, but don’t assumethey’re familiar with your topic. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  49. Use the inverted pyramid method: Put the most important information at the top and the background information below it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

  50. Be concise—cut out excess/filler words; use minimal text and short sentences. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll

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