Download our essential tools: the Maryland Plain Language Checklist and our Web Content Review Tool.
Inclusive design aims to recognize and eliminate barriers in finding and using information, helping to improve access for all.
Accessibility Basics and Guidelines
Learn about the basics of accessibility and find best practices and other resources at digital.gov/topics/accessibility.
Accessibility Quick Cards
The Maryland Department of Disabilities offers these Accessibility Quick Cards to help you make your digital products (including Microsoft Office and Adobe documents; maps; and social media pages) accessible to more users.
Using Plain Language for Inclusive Communication
Plain language techniques help you reach as many people as possible because the techniques make information easy-to-understand and use. These resources will help you understand information accessibility challenges and apply plain language and other techniques to increase accessibility.
How?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Communicating With and About People with Disabilities
This page outlines best practices for communicating with and about people with disabilities with examples of some Dos and Don'ts.
Right to Information
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)
This convening by the UN aimed to change perceptions of people with disabilities and to establish a human rights tool for this population. Articles 9 and 25 of the convening are most relevant to plain language. Article 9 addresses accessibility and makes specific reference to the accessibility of information and communication. Article 25 is about health and includes informed consent which can be hard to truly obtain because of jargon and a lack of plain language.
Self-Advocacy
Self-advocacy and Plain Language
Self-advocacy refers to the right of persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to advocate for their wants and needs, or to be supported in their advocacy. Read The Arc's statement on self-advocacy and leadership for background on the topic. Plain language can enable self-advocates to access services, manage their health, and impact policies surrounding their healthcare. The resources below are a few examples of the facilitating relationship between plain language and self-advocacy.
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network provides many easy reading and plain language policy toolkits on topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Medicaid
- The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) lists Maryland-specific self-advocacy resources including plain language interpretations of the DDA's processes and assistance with completing paperwork