CAN-ASC-3.1 – Plain Language
Scope:
Note: The ICS Codes for this NOI (originally published on December 13, 2022) was updated by the responsible SDO on June 27, 2023.
The purpose of CAN-ASC-3.1 is to develop a standard that goes above mandatory minimum technical specifications and produces equity-based technical requirements.
There are common areas where persons with disabilities may face barriers related to plain language. These include, but are not limited to:
- lack of information and awareness by communicators, including knowing about accommodation pertaining to plain language
- language grade level, determined by:
- text content and formatting, grammar, active/passive voice, providing examples to support content
The standard on plain language will apply to private and public sector organizations in the federally regulated sector. It will encourage organizations to:
- use the active voice and avoid the passive voice
- use strong, active verbs
- write directly to the reader
- use short, simple sentences and point form where possible
- use examples to clarify complicated subject matter
Notice of Intent posted to Accessibility Standards Canada's webpage(link is external) on September 25, 2020.
Project need:
Accessibility Standards Canada was created under the Accessible Canada Act. Its mandate is to prevent, identify, and remove barriers to accessibility for Canadians with disabilities. In pursuit of this mandate, Accessibility Standards Canada develops standards based on the needs of people with disabilities. These needs have been identified in consultations with Canadians with disabilities, including the Governor in Council appointed Board of Directors, who are primarily people with disabilities and have approved the development of this standard.
In addition to these identified needs, Accessibility Standards Canada standards are developed following the principle of “nothing without us”. This means that Accessibility Standards Canada standards are developed with research that has been led by people with disabilities or lived experience, participation of people with disabilities on our technical committees and produce equity-based requirements that take into account the needs and perspectives of people with disabilities. This also means that the public review process for this standard will be accessible, allowing even more people with disabilities to be part of the standards development process.
Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.
Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.