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Plain Language Consultation
People need to be able to find the information they need, understand what they find, and use it to meet their needs. Plain language helps people understand your message and participate in programs and services. It also increases the quality of translation services.
Plain language is visually inviting, logically organized, and understandable. It is concise and generally written at a 6th grade reading level.
Email lap@cityofmadison.com for help making your document useable to a diverse audience. We will give you suggestions about organization, language, and readability.
Tips for Writing in Plain Language
- Organize your document with short headings.
- Use numbered lists.
- Use short direct sentences.
- Avoid sentence clauses.
- Use common vocabulary.
- Avoid acronyms, technical terms, and academic language.
- Give examples and use stories to convey information.
See Hemingway App and Plain Language.gov for more information.
Language Access Plan & Community Engagement Consultation
All programs with Federal funding must have a Language Access Plan. Additionally, engaging with diverse communities will help inform and advance your projects and initiatives. A Language Access Plan should include:
- Information about the needs of residents who’s preferred language is one other than English
- How those needs will inform your planning process
- The language access service needed to meaningfully engage with residents
- How residents will access language services
- Engagement strategies for each language community
- Community partners and key stakeholders to support your efforts
- The training and technical support needs of your project team
- How you will evaluate if your engagement efforts are effective
The Language Access Program is available to consult with as you develop and implement your language access plan. Our team can help guide your survey development, review materials, plan for access, and develop engagement strategies aimed toward facilitating relationships.
We encourage you to contact us as early in the planning process as possible. For example, as soon as you know you have information to share with the public or you know you will be seeking public feedback.