Cognitive Accessibility: Simple Language for a Global Audience

In today's interconnected world, effective communication is paramount. However, much of the content we encounter online and offline presents significant barriers to understanding, particularly for individuals with cognitive disabilities, language learners, and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. This is where cognitive accessibility and the use of simple language become crucial.

What is Cognitive Accessibility?

Cognitive accessibility refers to the practice of designing content and interfaces that are easy to understand and use for people with a wide range of cognitive abilities. This includes individuals with:

Learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Memory impairments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Age-related cognitive decline
Language barriers

By prioritizing cognitive accessibility, we can create more inclusive and user-friendly experiences for everyone.

The Power of Simple Language

Simple language, also known as plain language, is a writing style that prioritizes clarity, conciseness, and ease of understanding. It's not about "dumbing down" content, but rather about presenting information in a way that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of their background or cognitive abilities. Often, the term "plain language" and "simple language" are used interchangeably; however, some nuances exist, such as "easy read" principles which includes visuals along with simple language.

Key Principles of Simple Language

Several key principles guide the creation of simple language content:

Short sentences: Keep sentences short and to the point. Aim for an average sentence length of around 15-20 words.
Simple words: Choose common, everyday words over jargon or technical terms. If technical terms are unavoidable, provide clear definitions.
Active voice: Use active voice whenever possible, as it is easier to understand than passive voice. For example, instead of "The report was written by the team," write "The team wrote the report."
Clear structure: Organize content logically with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
Consistent terminology: Use the same terms consistently throughout the document or website.
Visual aids: Incorporate visuals such as images, diagrams, and videos to enhance understanding.
White space: Use ample white space to avoid overwhelming the reader.
Use of lists: Break up large blocks of text with bulleted or numbered lists.
Avoiding Idioms and Slang: Because it does not translate well across cultures.

Why Simple Language Matters for a Global Audience

The benefits of simple language extend far beyond individuals with cognitive disabilities. In a global context, simple language is essential for:

Non-native speakers: Simple language makes it easier for people who are learning a new language to understand the content.
Diverse cultural backgrounds: Simple language reduces the risk of misinterpretations due to cultural differences or unfamiliarity with specific idioms or expressions.
Mobile users: Simple language is more effective on mobile devices with smaller screens, where conciseness is key.
Users with limited internet access: Simple language can help reduce page load times, making content more accessible to users with slow internet connections.

Examples of Simple Language in Action

Let's look at some examples of how simple language can be applied in different contexts:

Example 1: Website Content

Original (Complex): "Our synergistic platform leverages cutting-edge technologies to facilitate seamless data integration and optimize stakeholder engagement, thereby maximizing ROI and fostering sustainable growth."

Simple Language Version: "Our platform uses the latest technology to connect your data and help you work better with your partners. This will help you get a better return on your investment and grow your business."

Example 2: Instructions

Original (Complex): "Prior to initiating the software installation process, ensure that all prerequisite dependencies are fulfilled and that the system meets the minimum hardware specifications outlined in the accompanying documentation."

Simple Language Version: "Before installing the software, make sure you have everything you need and that your computer meets the minimum requirements. Check the documentation for details."

Example 3: Legal Documents

Original (Complex): "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless each other from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to the performance of this agreement."

Simple Language Version: "We agree to protect each other from any claims, losses, damages, and expenses (including legal fees) that result from this agreement."

Practical Tips for Writing in Simple Language

Here are some practical tips to help you write in simple language:

Know your audience: Consider the background, language skills, and cognitive abilities of your target audience.
Start with a clear purpose: What do you want your audience to understand or do after reading your content?
Use a readability checker: Tools like the Flesch-Kincaid readability test can help you assess the complexity of your writing. Many word processors and online tools offer this feature.
Read your content aloud: This can help you identify awkward phrasing and complex sentences.
Get feedback: Ask someone who is not familiar with your topic to read your content and provide feedback on its clarity and ease of understanding. Ideally, ask someone who represents your target audience.
Use online tools: There are several online tools that can help you simplify your language, such as the Hemingway Editor and Grammarly.
Focus on verbs: Verbs are the action words in your sentences. Use strong, active verbs to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The decision was made by the committee," write "The committee decided."
Limit jargon and technical terms: Avoid using jargon or technical terms unless they are absolutely necessary. If you must use them, provide clear definitions.
Break up long sentences: Long sentences can be difficult to understand, especially for non-native speakers and individuals with cognitive disabilities. Break up long sentences into shorter, more manageable sentences.
Use headings and subheadings: Headings and subheadings help readers scan your content and quickly find the information they need. Use clear and descriptive headings that accurately reflect the content of each section.
Use bullet points and lists: Bullet points and lists can help break up large blocks of text and make your content easier to read.

Simple Language and Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of internationally recognized guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. While WCAG doesn't explicitly mandate simple language, many of its success criteria align with the principles of cognitive accessibility and plain language.

For example, WCAG Guideline 3.1, "Readable," focuses on making text content readable and understandable. This includes success criteria such as:

3.1.1 Language of Page: Specifies the default human language of the webpage.
3.1.2 Language of Parts: Specifies the language of specific passages or phrases in a different language.
3.1.3 Unusual Words: Provides a mechanism for identifying specific definitions of words or phrases used in an unusual or restricted way, including idioms and jargon.
3.1.5 Reading Level: When text requires reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level after removal of proper names and titles, supplemental content, or a version that does not require reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, is available.

By following the principles of simple language, you can significantly improve the readability and understandability of your web content, making it more accessible to a wider audience and helping you meet WCAG requirements.

The Benefits of Investing in Cognitive Accessibility

Investing in cognitive accessibility and simple language is not just a matter of social responsibility; it also makes good business sense. By creating content that is easy to understand and use, you can:

Expand your reach: Reach a larger audience, including individuals with cognitive disabilities, language learners, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Improve user satisfaction: Create more positive user experiences, leading to increased engagement and loyalty.
Reduce support costs: Reduce the number of support requests by making information easier to find and understand.
Enhance your brand reputation: Demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
Improve SEO: Content that is easy to read and understand is more likely to rank higher in search engine results.
Minimize Risk: Meeting legal requirements (e.g., accessibility laws in various countries) and reduce risk of legal action.

Tools and Resources

Several tools and resources can help you create simple language content:

Hemingway Editor: Highlights complex sentences, adverbs, and passive voice.
Grammarly: Checks for grammar, spelling, and style errors and provides suggestions for improving clarity.
Readable.io: Analyzes the readability of your content and provides suggestions for improvement.
Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN): Provides resources and training on plain language writing.
WCAG Guidelines: Provides detailed information on web accessibility guidelines.
The A11y Project: A community-driven effort to make web accessibility easier.

Conclusion

In a world that is becoming increasingly global and interconnected, cognitive accessibility and simple language are essential for effective communication. By prioritizing clarity, conciseness, and ease of understanding, we can create more inclusive and user-friendly experiences for everyone. Simple language is not just about making content accessible to people with disabilities; it's about making content accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, language skills, or cognitive abilities. By embracing the principles of simple language, you can expand your reach, improve user satisfaction, and enhance your brand reputation. Let's strive to make the world a more accessible and understandable place, one sentence at a time.