Clear Writing and Accessibility

Clear Writing says what you mean, simply and clearly.  It’s knowing the needs of your reader and making the message clear for them.

ABEA uses the term Clear Writing. You may also hear the term “Plain Language” or “Clear Language”. Clear Writing is used by ABEA to include all aspects of writing – from language, to format, to style.  It also includes the accessibility of your document.

Clear Writing is about the way you communicate in writing. It’s about the

• language you use
• format of your document
• design of your document

Clear writing can

• increase your clients by giving them clear messages
• decrease confusion or misunderstandings
• reduce accidents
• increase the accessibility of your documents

Our Clear Writing Services

Workshops

Workshops typically range from 2-3 hours but can be customized based on the needs of your team.  They are offered both in-person and virtually.

In a workshop you learn how to

• use Clear Writing guidelines to present your thoughts clearly
• design your written materials so your audience understands them
• use accessibility features for digital and hard copy documents
• incorporate Clear Writing into your workplace and everyday life

You should take this workshop if you

• write for the general public
• present projects and reports
• develop presentations or marketing materials
• take minutes for meetings
• use email
• create internal documents like policies and procedures

Clear Writing Works! Online Course

Want to take your Clear Writing skills to the next level?  We run the Learning Networks of Ontario Clear Writing Course.  This is an online course.  It runs 3 times per year for 10-12 weeks (depending on the session).  For more information visit the Clear Writing page.

Document Consulting

Document Consulting can range from a brief consultation to in-depth rewrites.

1. Consultation – we will offer general Clear Writing and accessibility suggestions, sometimes before a document is written. We will discuss possible changes but we don’t make changes to the document.
2. Review – we will look over a document and make specific suggestions for change.
3. Rewrite – we review and rewrite the document by applying Clear Writing changes.

Organizational Audits

Organizational Audits are done in 2 ways.

1. ABEA does an in-depth analysis of the overall written communication processes, guidelines and outcomes in an organization and presents findings and recommendations.
2. The organization does an internal analysis of its own written materials using an organization health check.

Audits are recommended for organizations that have no previous training or experience with Clear Writing.

Fees

Workshop Testimonials

Great course. It should be a must for all businesses.

I wish my boss came.

Excellent session – perfect length with enough practical elements to keep it interactive.

Thoroughly enjoyed the session and I know I will be able to apply the information I learned.

I think more people need to hear this workshop.

This is very useful information and I look forward to applying it to work.

Contact

Sara Gill at 905-527-2222 x 1 or sara.gill@abea.on.ca