About Academy Courses

About the Academies

We are expanding courses, languages, instructors, countries.
New YouTube blog on science and plain language.

Explore Plain Language (ISO)
​Writing, Editing, Design Guidelines
​​
The PL ISO Standard is one of the biggest developments in the field. Find out how our courses can help you and your organization benefit. 

 
​Plain Language ISO standard: how it makes your communication easier 
4 x 3 hour online live sessions
Dates:
Sept 15, 22, 29, Oct 6.
Register here after setting up your account.
$450.00 CAD
Instructors: Kate Harrison Whiteside and
​Nicole Watkins Campbell.

Coming fall 2026
Plain Language ISO standard: how to make it work in organizations .
​In English and French

PLA Course Links
Email us for information.
​ [email protected]

New Course
How to Use Plain Language to Improve Accessibility and Inclusion
Oct  8, 15, 12,  29, Nov 5
5 weekly live sessions, plus online resources
Register: $349.00 CAD 
​PayPal (click the P after course title)  for access.
​
Accessibility isn’t just a box to check off. It’s a more inclusive a way of approaching communication. This course highlights how accessibility practices can help reduce and remove the barriers that people face when they try to find, understand, and use communications in various formats. It provides a variety of ways that you can use plain language principles to improve accessibility and overcome those barriers. This course is aligned with the Accessibility Standards Canada standard.
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Facilitators: Catherine Buckie, Plain Language Consultant, iwritewell.ca. 

Michelle Waitzman (she/her) (michellewaitzman.com) is a plain language specialist based in Toronto, Canada. 

Catherine: In this course, you will learn to recognize barriers people face to finding, understanding, and using information. You will also learn how to use plain language techniques to reduce, overcome, or prevent these barriers.

Michelle: Even if your organization has made a commitment to accessible and inclusive communications, your team may not know where to begin. This course provides practical guidance on what to consider when you create communications, and how to assess whether they are truly accessible.

 PLA on Youtube
PlainView Chats

Science and Plain Language
PLAIN South Africa Ambassador Dr. Antoinique van Staden shares her experiences and insights on Science and Plain Language and how they can work together. Entertaining and insightful.

Accessibility vid interview
Kate Harrison Whiteside discusses plain language and accessibility with student Michelle Bissell. 

​Wordrake chats with Kate Harrison Whiteside on plain language as part of their Interview with An Expert series.

What our recent Academy Achiever said after successfully completing six courses:
​The Letter of Achievement program covered so much more than just plain writing. It helped me to plan, design, and test texts, and to understand different types of readers and their needs. 
​Tracy W, CTA, 

Kate was awarded Lifetime Membership in 2022 for her contributions to co-creating PLAIN and advocacy work.

Congrats PLA team for winning the 2021 PLAIN Cheryl Stephens Award for Innovation.

PLA QR CODE

​"Plain language has no boundaries and we continue to serve writers from around the globe with our training." Kate. PLA

​Courses are ongoing. Ideas are always welcome. 

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