Keeping language simple for inclusion
9 July 2019
Universal design for learning is based on the belief that learning environments should be flexible to suit a diverse range of needs, including those of people with cognitive disability. To try and achieve this, two researchers tested audio transcribing and interpreters to simplify the language of speakers at a conference in real time. After the conference, they interviewed participants to find out how they went.
Website accessibility – there’s still a long way to go
14 June 2019
Everyone has the right to access information on the web – including the 1 billion people worldwide who have a disability. Unfortunately, there continue to be barriers that stop people from being able to get to the information they need, despite the fact that the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines have been around for more than 20 years.
Most bank communications harder to read than Moby Dick
27 May 2019
When people are dealing with their bank, it’s not uncommon for them to feel as though they are being spoken to in another language. Between the jargon and complex language, many people can be left feeling baffled and with more questions than they started with. This feeling is supported by a recent report by VisibleThread, a content and language analytics company that works to improve the readability and quality of communication.
How we can help you reach a wider consumer base
27 May 2019
When you make your content accessible, you’re able to reach a broader audience. This can include people with disability, people with low literacy skills and people with English as an additional language. If your content is concise, easy to read and understand, and in an easy-to-use format, you help everyone to get the information they need. When people have a clear sense of what you’re asking them to do, you also get better results.
How to make your survey inclusive
10 May 2019
A report in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research looked at how well people with intellectual disability could answer a survey about loneliness. They were given questions that were written for the general community and questions that were written specifically for people with intellectual disability. The report’s findings were very clear. The survey written for people with intellectual disability was easier for all participants to answer than the survey for the general community.
