There are great lists of guidelines and tips for writing in plain language, but when you are faced with making confusing instructions clear, where do you start? One way is to think about plain language as a process. Instead of trying to get the whole thing right in one try, … Continue reading
At the annual gathering of county clerks, recorders, election officials, and treasurers, the closing keynote featured tips on how writing that everyone can understand can help officials do their work better, and save their budgets at the same time. Whitney Quesenbery’s presentation featured examples of improved materials from form letters … Continue reading
A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice concludes that in 2010, tens of thousands of votes in New York did not count because of errors — errors that can be easily caught or prevented to ensure that ballots are marked according to the voters’ intent. They are overvotes–when … Continue reading
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 goes into effect on October 13, 2011. This law requires the federal government to write all new publications, forms, and publicly distributed documents in a “clear, concise, well-organized” manner that follows the best practices of plain language writing. It may not be a tough … Continue reading
In the 2008 election for Senator from Minnesota between Al Franken and Norm Coleman was decided only after a lengthy recount and legal battle that lasted over 8 months. One of the biggest controversies centered on absentee ballots and deciding which of them were even eligible to be counted. A … Continue reading
It’s always nice when we can connect two issues – like plain language in ballot instructions. In a new report for NIST, Ginny Redish draws the lines clearly: “Voters are exercising an important right as American citizens. If they cannot understand how to use their voting materials, they may not … Continue reading
At the UPA 2008 Conference in Baltimore, Annetta Cheek, Chair, Center for Plain Language, gave of presentation on the connections between usability and plain language, with examples of plain — and not so plain — language from federal documents. If you can’t understand it, you can’t use it (ppt 238K) Introduction to … Continue reading
Ginny Redish is one of the internationally recognized experts in plain language, gave a seminar for members of the federal advisory committee updating US accessibility regulations (Section 508). She covered: What is plain language? How can plain language be used to improve the usability of regulations Examples of plain language … Continue reading
As part of the public review of the Voluntary Voting Systems Guidelines (VVSG), the EAC held a series of public roundtable discussions and public hearings. Usability in Civic Life leaders were invited to the Usability and Accessibility Roundtable on March 27, 2008, and the Public Meeting on April 16, 2008. … Continue reading
Dear Senator Akaka and Congressman Braley, The Usability Professionals’ Association supports efforts to encourage easier access to government by all citizens. One way to achieve this is through greater use of plain language in all government communications. We commend you for introducing H.R. 3548 and S.2291 The Plain Language in Government … Continue reading
Affirmed as the fourth person on a committee that bridges the connection between government and voters, Mayor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of long-time Usability Professionals’ Association member Dana Chisnell to the San Francisco Ballot Simplification Committee rounds out a group of communication professionals who work as volunteers to provide unbiased, objective … Continue reading
Representative Candice Miller House Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs The Usability Professionals’ Association (UPA) wishes to express its support for plain language, and the concepts in the Plain Language Act of 2006 [HR 4809] The UPA was founded in 1991 by people working to improve the design of technology: software, services, and … Continue reading
A Washington Post article, The Tabulator: Is Florida’s 2000 Vote on the Butterfly Ballot Designer’s Mind as November Approaches? You Can Count on It interviews Theresa LaPore, almost four years after the 2000 US Presidential elections with her “butterfly ballot” included quotes from LaPore wondering why people couldn’t learn to … Continue reading
