NALA's response to the Consultation on the Regulation of Small Print in Consumer Contracts paper

Earlier this year, we promised to upload our response to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation's consultation paper on the regulation of small print in consumer contracts (February 2013). Here it is. Before you read it you will remember that the consultation paper outlines laws and rules on small print and other presentation matters in Ireland and elsewhere. NALA is mentioned on pages 9 and 14. It also sets out options for the future statutory regulation of small print and seeks views on these options.

Plain English is the best medicine

Healthy Ireland and clear communications

The launch of the Healthy Ireland Framework Strategy document recognises that health literacy (of which plain English is a central tenet), is a key strategy towards achieving good health. The Framework mentions health literacy under the theme of Empowering People and Communities (Actions 3.1 and 3.8, pages 24-25).

This is exciting as it is the first formal policy recognition on the value of health literacy. This recognition is timely in light of the findings of the European Health Literacy Survey which showed that almost 40% of the Irish public have health literacy problems and that 17% of people don’t understand health information leaflets as they are too complex.

The value of plain English in increasing access to clear communications was also lauded at the Royal College of Surgeons Conferences on Day Surgery in Ireland last Friday (12 April).

Producing clearer health information in plain English, will also achieve greater efficiencies in the health care sector.

Our Plain English Editing and Training Service edits health literacy materials, trains health practitioners in the use of plain English and offers competitively priced health literacy audits of health care settings. If you are interested in any of these, please contact Claire at coiordan@nala.ie.

NALA plain English input to Quality Service Customer Officers' meeting

On Tuesday 5 March, NALA presented to over 20 Quality Service Customer Officers in the Public Sector. The Officers are working on their Customer Charters and Customer Service Action Plans. They are keenly aware of the need to make their communications accessible for both the public and for their own staff.

Our input sought to support their work in this area and showcase examples of plain English usage in other organisations and countries. They were particularly interested in the trend towards legislating for plain English, plain English training, how to introduce plain English into an organisation or part of an organisation, and writing for the web.

Our presentation was well received and we will continue to offer plain English support to the public sector.