Benefit # 12: Plain language fosters collaboration, with shared understanding of goals and needs And collaboration is at the heart of public trust and effective service delivery — in both public and private sectors. Plain Language has a lot to say about the processes and policies behind the communications that build trust and support services. That’s why I don’t see plainlanguage.gov moving to digital.gov as an ending, but as an evolution. And, I am framing this change using a plain language strategy: focus on the positive (as in tell people what they need to do versus what actions are wrong... prefer "building bridges" to "knocking down barriers") Yes, plainlanguage.gov is being redirected to digital.gov. Yes, I believe Plain Language applies way beyond digital worlds. But, let’s pause before we bury it: -The Plain Writing Act is still law—plain language requirements for federal agencies haven’t gone away -The Plain Language Community is strong—the second largest with over 2800 members) -The content itself is live on digital.gov—along other crucial aspects that intersect with plain language for clear communication, like customer experience and information architecture plainlanguage.gov was once a dedicated hub. Moving it under digital.gov is not an ending but an opportunity for integration and collaboration. How can we use this shift to collaborate across government networks and peer groups? Not RIP — rebirth! https://lnkd.in/gE5-hfw2
Plain Language: Collaboration and Trust in Public Service
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Plain language = access. It's that simple! Accessibility Standards Canada just released a new national standard for plain language (CAN-ASC-3.1:2025) and it’s a big step forward for accessibility and inclusion in Canada. Plain language isn’t just about using simpler words. It’s about making sure everyone can find, understand, and use information without barriers. At Accessibrand™, we don’t just talk about it, we teach it, design it, and build it into everything we do! We offer plain language seminars for teams who want to communicate more clearly, and we apply plain language principles in all our design and marketing projects. We’re proud that Gillian Lynne-Davies, one of our core team members, is a Certified Plain Language Expert, helping organizations across Canada make accessibility part of every message. If your organization wants to improve accessibility and connection, contact us to get started. Read the new standard here: https://lnkd.in/g9V8aeZb #PlainLanguage #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #DigitalInclusion #Accessibrand #AccessibleCommunication #CommunicationForAll
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Personally, I always combined principles of CX and SEO with Plain Language, by first analyzing the voice of the customer (VoC) in search queries, online and phone feedback to tell me what MY customers considered was "plain language" to them. The resources on PlainLanguage gov were then invaluable for trying all the pieces together to help craft a better customer-centric content experience. The elimination of this site will not help improve service delivery to the American people.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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What you won't find on the PlainLanguage.gov replacement site (Digital.gov) is information about the Plain Writing Act (law) and case studies on why plain language matters. From working in Design Systems, showing best practice is critical to gain adoption. Citing the law gives companies the leverage they need to change their approach. If you've ever cited PlainLanguage.gov, there are other amazing resources that you can still use: 📌 Digital NSW Plain and Inclusive Language: https://lnkd.in/g7g6F3wN 📌 NZ Plain Language: https://lnkd.in/gvgEkPX7 #ContentDesign Content Design Hub #PlainLanguage
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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Deanna Lorianni’s striking how quickly we forget that plain language isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a rights issue. When public information is written in jargon, whole groups of people are excluded, those with lower literacy, people with disabilities, non-native speakers, and even busy citizens trying to make sense of government services. The disappearance of PlainLanguage.gov is a reminder that clarity is equity. Without it, transparency and trust erode. In my own work on monitoring, evaluation, and inclusion, I’ve seen that when organisations shift to plain, accessible communication, they don’t just improve reports, they strengthen accountability and participation. This isn’t just about words; it’s about who gets to understand, and who gets left out. Thanks for your post! Our work for inclusion and accessiblity continues.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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The current administration's undermining of federal agencies' communication functions is now compounded by the loss of the dedicated federal website, plainlanguage.gov. Trimming and merging this website with digital.gov might seem a minor thing, but CDC removed its dedicated health literacy website, cdc.gov/healthliteracy too. These high visibility websites provided the official federal standards, guidance, and training resources for many other organizations and professionals. Now the plain language standards are called the "principles of plain language." So, the federal Plain Writing Act of 2010 remains the law for federal agencies, although they have severely diminished capacity for public communication and downgraded resources.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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RIP PlainLanguage.gov 😔 It’s wild how something so simple, like writing in plain English, is still treated like an afterthought. Clear, human language isn’t just good writing, it’s good design. It’s how we build trust, reduce friction, and help people actually understand what we’re saying. Plain language is UX. It’s content strategy done right. Here’s to keeping that standard alive in our products, even if the site is gone. #PlainLanguage #ContentDesign #UXWriting #ProductDesign #ContentStrategy
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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This was a valuable resource and reference for anyone creating or maintaining .gov content. Those laws are still on the books, even if the website no longer exists. With AI slop polluting our information spaces, plain language websites and communications will continue to be important primary sources of information.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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PlainLanguage.gov provided guidance for making scientific and technical writing easy for everyone to understand. Think about what removing the site and its guidance says about the current administration.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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As PIOs, the practice of using plain language is essential to get the right message to the right people at the right time. Functional literacy, the ability to understand, use, and engage with written text in everyday life, is under strain in the U.S. According to data from the Barbara Bush Foundation, about 54% of American adults read at or below what is roughly considered a sixth-grade level. When adults struggle with basic reading skills, it becomes harder for them to navigate forms, understand policies, make informed choices, or fully engage with communications. That’s why adopting plain language isn’t optional, it’s a core responsibility. While I’m sad to see the PlainLanguage.gov website shut down, I’m glad that the information lives on.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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Let me give some context on the Plain Language movement. It advocates for writing that people can understand in voter documents, legal agreements, medical information, and other places, so that rich and powerful entities can't use intentionally confusing language to take advantage of people. This isn't about being a good communicator at work (which is also important), but a movement of the people standing up to the powerful.
RIP PlainLanguage.gov! 😥 And just like that, the U.S. government's website promoting plain language is gone. Now, the URL routes people to Digital.gov. While that site preserves some guidance on how to use plain language, it's nowhere near the robust resource it once was. PlainLanguage.gov was a tool to help government communicators uphold the Plain Writing Act of 2010. It was also a public resource, reinforcing the importance of receiving clear communications from your government. Even as the U.S. government turns away from plain language, its principles are more vital than ever. Transparency, simplicity, and empathy will always matter. So, a huge thank you to everyone who made PlainLanguage.gov the resource that it was. Fortunately, you can find the archived website here: https://lnkd.in/evcDGVqi And to the public servants working in the federal government who still embrace plain language — thank you! We see you. We're here with you. Together, we'll care to be clear!
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