1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Starting point Long sentences (42 words) and paragraphs Justified text
Narrow margins
Lack of visual information
Technical words
Easy-to-Read Association
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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

19. Starting point Long sentences Justified text Narrow margins
Too much information
for an informative document
Lack of visual information
Easy-to-Read Association
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20. ETR proposal Short sentences Headings and lists Illustrations
The content is organised in questions and answers
Easy-to-Read Association
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21. 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

22. For more information
Easy-to-Read Association / Associació Lectura Fàcil c/ Ribera, 8 pral Barcelona (Spain) Tel.: Web: Facebook:
Easy-to-Read Association
17/01/2019