What is Beyond Plain Language?

"There are structures, frameworks, and practices that anyone working with self-represented people can apply..."

In the time I’ve worked in the access-to-justice space, I’ve never heard someone say, “let’s make this harder.” I think we all have a similar goal in mind – a justice system that people can engage with, that is fair and approachable, and that fundamentally makes sense.

We often use the phrase “plain language,” as a placeholder for “word choice.” We take out old Latin phrases and big words, and that is important, but somehow things still end up being complicated.

I’m a lawyer now, but I started my career as a third-grade teacher. And I keep seeing patterns. There are structures, frameworks, and practices that anyone working with self-represented people can apply. And I think we can also draw on other professions to inform the work we do.

That’s what Beyond Plain Language is about.

I don’t have all the answers, but I know there are principles that can help us make legal information accessible to everyone. I hope you’ll join me to talk about them.