Plain Language

Legal aid websites provide critical information to individuals who may not have the financial means to hire an attorney. However, these websites can often be difficult to navigate, and the language used may be too technical or overly complicated. Here are some tips for creating accessible legal aid websites using plain language:

1. Use simple language: Avoid using complex legal terms and jargon. Instead, use plain language that is easy to understand for users with varying levels of literacy and legal knowledge.
2. Provide definitions: If legal terms or jargon must be used, provide clear definitions to ensure that all users can understand the information provided.
3. Break up content: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up content into smaller, more digestible pieces. This can help users better understand and navigate the information provided.
4. Hierarchy of content: Start with the most relevant and simple information first- What is this page about? Who is this info for? What can you do here?
5. Use active voice: Use 2nd person “you” when discussing litigants, defendants, plaintiffs when possible. For example, "if you are being sued in court, do this."
6. Use clear labels: Avoid using legal-specific terms or acronyms in titles of sections and buttons. Buttons should be calls-to-action to be as descriptive as possible about what the user can expect on the next page. For example: Rather than Docket Search (a noun) use Search Upcoming Cases (a verb). Rather than Hearing List (a noun) use View Hearing List (a verb).
7. Use a single way to display time: 6:00AM OR 6:00a.m. OR 6:00 A.M. OR 6:00 am.
8. Format phone numbers uniformly: You can format phone numbers with parenthesis, spaces, and dashes: (123) 456 - 7890 OR 123 456-7890 OR 123-456-7890
9. Avoid lengthy paragraphs: Avoid using long paragraphs as they can be overwhelming and difficult to read. Instead, use short paragraphs that are easy to scan and comprehend.
10. Use visuals: Use visuals, such as images or videos, to help illustrate concepts and provide visual aids to support the information presented.
11. Provide translations: Consider providing translations for users who speak languages other than English to ensure that all users can access and understand the information provided.
12. Check plain language guidelines: Use plain language guidelines, such as those provided by PlainLanguage.gov, to ensure that the content is written in a clear, concise, and easily understood manner.
13. Conduct user testing: Conduct user testing with individuals with varying levels of literacy and legal knowledge to ensure that the content is accessible and easily understood by all users.

‍