Ensure that information can be understood by all users

Rationale

People with low literacy, reading disorders, cognitive or intellectual impairments may have difficulty reading, understanding and remembering text and graphical symbols. Particularly if they are not simple, familiar and unambiguous or if they are displayed for only a short time.

Directions and techniques

Allow sufficient reading time (high priority)

Where possible, information should remain on display until it is absolutely necessary to remove it or for long enough for users who require more time to read.

Use simple language and intuitive symbols

Acronyms, abbreviations and jargon words should be avoided in preference for complete, standard words and phrases.

For numbering, Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3,...) are more recognisable and easier to understand than Roman numerals (I, II, III, i, ii,...).

For English language instructions or explanatory text, follow Plain English Guidelines as far as possible. Guidance on how to write instructions and descriptions in Plain English is also available on the Simply Put website.

Tell viewers where additional or supplementary information can be found

If complicated information is being portrayed (for example, detailed results and statistics presented during an election count), clearly announce where further information can be found. For example, provide the web address or appropriate contact details for further information.