Write How You Talk: The Accessibility of Plain Language

Date & Time

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 10:20 AM PDT  

Location

Grand JK  

Description

General intro: Typically when people hear the term UX, they think of design. However, good UX is just as much about words as it is about visuals. Unfortunately, there are no hard rules for writers on how to be accessible like there are for designers and developers. The only guidance WCAG gives for copy is to use plain language. But what does that really mean? Using the core principles of UX writing anyone can learn how to write using plain language.

Outline:

The presentation will have 3 parts.

Part 1: Walk through what UX writing, or plain language, is at a high level. Stress that accessibility and translatability of your content goes hand and hand.

Part 2: Discuss concrete steps people can take to write this way. Things like:

1. Using short sentences and single-syllable words.
2. Avoiding idioms, puns, and negative questions.
3. Using the words in the primary definition.
4. Layout consistency and pairing copy with visuals for greater context.

This part will also include free and paid tools we use at United to make sure our writing is effective. Some of these tools are AI based, like Hemingway Editor, Readable and Chat GPT.

Part three: Showcase concrete examples of where we've applied this and how it's working. We've applied these principles throughout our website and app already and are seeing results both in user comprehension and conversion. Proving once again that doing the right thing for people is the best thing for the business.

This Presentation Link is provided by the Presenter(s) and not hosted by the Center on Disabilities at CSUN. The Center on Disabilities has confirmed, as of March 27, 2024, content linked is relevant to the presentation, but has not been reviewed for accessibility nor will the Center on Disabilities attempt to remediate any accessibility issues in the linked content. Please contact the Presenter(s) with any accessibility concerns.

 

Audience

• Information & Communications Technology
• Media & Publishing
• Legal
• Marketing

Audience Level

Intermediate  

Session Summary (Abstract)

Learn more about what plain language is, how to do it, and the tools that can help you along the way.  

Primary Topic

Web  

Secondary Topics

• Captions & Transcription
• Design
• Digital Accessibility
• Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

 

Session Type

General Track  

Presenter

• Allegra Pusateri
  United Airlines

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