Easy-to-Read: access to information, effective communication Ana Crespo Elisabet Serra Easy-to-Read Association Shooting Star: Easy-to-Read and how to write it 4th European Conference for Science Journalists Monday, June 26. 2017

Contents of the presentation Easy-to-Read Association What is Easy-to-Read (ETR)? How to write an ETR text? Some examples Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Easy-to-Read Association Who we are? We are a social organization committed to make information accessible to everybody, especially to those with reading difficulties. Since 2003, we have adapted a wide variety of texts into clear communication to help readers to understand the message. We are an information and reference centre for Easy-to-Read projects. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Easy-to-Read Association What do we offer? We adapt legal, informative and administrative texts to comply with Easy-to-Read guidelines. We check the texts with the target audience and provide our ETR logo. We offer training in Easy-to-Read writing skills. (including online courses) Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

What is Easy-to-Read? Easy-to-Read materials are books, documents, websites, magazines, etc. that follow international guidelines about content, language and design so that people with reading difficulties could read and understand them. The ETR guidelines have been developed by these 2 institutions: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Inclusion Europe (European association of people with intellectual disabilities and their families) Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

ETR guidelines Guidelines for Easy-to-read materials IFLA Professional Reports, Nº 120 (2010) How to write clearly European Commission (2010) Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Who ETR address to? ETR materials are addressed to people with reading difficulties: People with intellectual disabilities Elderly people Newcomers Children with learning disabilities People with functional illiteracy In other words, more than 30% of the European population have reading difficulties. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Easy-to-Read Association making information available to everybody (a 2’ video to give you an overview of who we are and what we do) Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

How to write an ETR text? Before to write... We should ask ourselves: What is the aim of the text? What is my target audience? What information do they have about the topic? What are the essential contents I need to convey? (You could find most of these questions in style books, but in the hurry of the day-to-day work there is no time to ask and answer them) Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

How to write an ETR text? Guidelines for the content: Don’t assume your audience has previous knowledge about the topic you are writing. Put the events into context. Explain the facts in a logical, direct and simple way. (They should follow a common thread with logical continuity) Organise the contents in thematic sections with informative headings. Use vertical lists to highlight important items in a visually clear way. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

How to write an ETR text? Guidelines for the language Use common, everyday words. If technical words need to be used, explain them by context clues or add a definition. Keep subject, verb and object close together. Write short sentences. Avoid complex sentences. Use active verbs. Avoid passive voice. Speak directly to the reader. Use words like “you” instead of “the reader”. Use examples to make the writing clearer. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

How to write an ETR text? Guidelines for the design: Use a clear font. Use bold and CAPITAL LETTERS only for highlighting. Use wide margins and only justify the left margin. Use headings, lists and tables. Be sure there is a good contrast between the text and the background. Don’t use pictures as background. Use descriptive pictures with concise captions. Keep captions close to images. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Revision and evaluation Check the text with your target audience. Ask yourself: Have I passed on the information I wanted to communicate? Is something important missing? Could I have written an easier text? Is the vocabulary clear? Easy-to-Read publications are written in a clear and understandable way suitable for adult readers. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Barcelona Health Report In 2011 we signed an agreement with the city council of Barcelona to adapt its most relevant documents. Every year we adapt the BCN Health Report to make it accessible for all citizens. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Starting point Long sentences (42 words) and paragraphs Justified text Narrow margins Lack of visual information Technical words Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Starting point Complex graphics Graphics are not easy to understand. If you use them, make sure they are simple and clear. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

ETR proposal Bold headings organise and highlight content sections Justified text only on the left Illustrations Short sentences Balanced use of text, illustrations and "white space" Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Shared Decisions in Health The Catalan Health Department promotes Shared Decisions, a website with information about different treatments. This document was written in ETR to inform patients about the new program. Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Starting point Long sentences Justified text Narrow margins Too much information for an informative document Lack of visual information Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

ETR proposal Short sentences Headings and lists Illustrations The content is organised in questions and answers Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

Why use Easy-to-Read materials? Easy to Read texts allow you to: Make documents easier to read and understand Communicate effectively Reach a wide range of audiences Enhance your image as a socially engaged journalist Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019

For more information Easy-to-Read Association / Associació Lectura Fàcil c/ Ribera, 8 pral. 08003 Barcelona (Spain) lecturafacil@cobdc.org Tel.: +34 93 310 76 94 Web: www.lecturafacil.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/lf.lecturafacil Twitter: @Lectfacil Easy-to-Read Association 17/01/2019