Dark Blue background with white text. A white frame surrounds the text. Text: Plain Language for Everyone: Making Information More Inclusive White thought bubble with three dots in it. The National Center for Disability, Equity, and Intersectionality

Plain Language for Everyone: Making Information More Inclusive

Posted on | by Leah Smith | Leave a Comment on Plain Language for Everyone: Making Information More Inclusive

By Kendall Eaton, Esq. 

What is Plain Language?

Plain language is often misunderstood as something designed only for people with disabilities; but in reality, it benefits everyone. The International Plain Language Federation defines a document as plain language if “…its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.” Using plain language means that you are communicating your ideas clearly for the reader to find everything they need to know. 

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Image of a stack of law and policy books with the scale of justice sitting on top of the books. Text reads: The Court System

The U.S. Court System

Posted on | by Leah Smith | Leave a Comment on The U.S. Court System

As part of our Policy Unpacked Series, the below infographic coincides with our plain language document about the U.S. Court System. This infographic offers a concise and accessible overview of the U.S. court system. It explains the foundational role of the judicial branch and the U.S. Constitution in shaping the federal judiciary, including the establishment of the Supreme Court and lower courts. The graphic clearly distinguishes between federal and state court systems, outlining the functions of trial, appellate, and supreme courts at each level. It also highlights the pathways through which cases reach the U.S. Supreme Court and explains how the Court processes cases via the merits and shadow dockets. Overall, the infographic underscores the importance of understanding how the court system operates in upholding justice and fairness.

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The Diagnosis That Changed Everything: Why Late Diagnoses Aren’t Late at All

Posted on | by Guest Author | 1 Comment on The Diagnosis That Changed Everything: Why Late Diagnoses Aren’t Late at All

By Darian Senn-Carter, Ed.D.

Image of a black man holding a white coffee cup. He has black round glasses and is wearing a yellow shirt.

For most of my life, I didn’t have the language to name the way I experienced the world. I’ve always known that I was different. I knew I felt things deeply, noticed details others missed, and often needed solitude to recharge. I learned early on to push through sensory overwhelm, intellectualize my emotions, and carefully manage how much of myself I showed to others. I got good at surviving in environments that weren’t designed with someone like me in mind.

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