New: PLA Live Virtual Courses
ISO Plain Language (ISO 24495-1) Standard for
communicators and for organizations
ISO Plain Language (ISO 24495-1) Standard for
communicators and for organizations
Plain Language and Accessibility How to Use Plain Language to Improve Accessibility and Inclusion
How to Use Plain Language to Improve Accessibility and Inclusion
April 9 - May 14
5 weekly live sessions, plus online resources
PayPal (click the P after course title) $349.00 CAD 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 for plain language (CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 -- Plain Language), published in 2025, and the ISO Plain language Part 1: governing principles and guidelines (ISO 24495-1:2023 - Plain language -- Part 1) published in 2023.
Goals: After completing this course, you will be able to:
The course includes 5 modules. Each module begins with a video introducing the topic, followed by readings and an assignment. A weekly live discussion session will provide a forum for asking questions and discussing how to apply information and approach the assignments.
Module 1: Barriers to accessibility and how they relate to plain language
Module 2: Addressing barriers experienced by your intended audience
Module 3: Using structure and design to address barriers
Module 4: Using wording and express to address barriers
Module 5: Final assignment
Facilitators
Catherine Buckie, Plain Language Consultant, iwritewell.ca.
Catherine is an independent plain language consultant in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki). She has worked with almost every department within the Government of Nova Scotia as well as with regulatory agencies, academics, and nonprofits.
For the past five years, Catherine has focussed on how plain language and accessibility work together to create communications for all members of society. As a member of the Technical Committee for Plain Language with Accessibility Standards Canada, Catherine helped craft Canada’s first plain language standard. She is also a member of the Information and Communication Standard Development Committee at the Accessibility Directorate of Nova Scotia. Catherine believes strongly that the needs of the audience should determine how public and private entities communicate.
Catherine spends much of her time volunteering as a Canadian Ski Patroller, Patient Family Advisor with Nova Scotia Health, and with the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Michelle Waitzman (she/her) (michellewaitzman.com) is a plain language specialist based in Toronto, Canada.
Michelle offers plain language consulting, training, writing, and editing services to nonprofits, government and regulatory agencies, businesses and specialty publishers. She is dedicated to helping organizations improve the quality, impact, and effectiveness of their content and communications.
Michelle specializes in writing about complex subjects in approachable, easy-to-understand ways. Author of four books and many articles and blog posts, Michelle has written about immigration, psychology, law, banking, taxes, personal finance, computer science, outdoor adventure and more.
Michelle serves on the board of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN). She is a member of Plain Canada Clair and Editors Canada.
Michelle also volunteers with PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services), a charity that provides financial support to struggling pet owners to help cover necessary medical expenses. She is a strong advocate for pet adoption and a lifelong dog lover.
How to Use Plain Language to Improve Accessibility and Inclusion
April 9 - May 14
5 weekly live sessions, plus online resources
PayPal (click the P after course title) $349.00 CAD 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 for plain language (CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 -- Plain Language), published in 2025, and the ISO Plain language Part 1: governing principles and guidelines (ISO 24495-1:2023 - Plain language -- Part 1) published in 2023.
Goals: After completing this course, you will be able to:
- assess communications for accessibility and inclusion using plain language principles
- identify barriers to finding, understanding, and using information and address them
- create more accessible communications in multiple formats
- evaluate accessibility by collaborating with the communications’ intended audience
The course includes 5 modules. Each module begins with a video introducing the topic, followed by readings and an assignment. A weekly live discussion session will provide a forum for asking questions and discussing how to apply information and approach the assignments.
Module 1: Barriers to accessibility and how they relate to plain language
Module 2: Addressing barriers experienced by your intended audience
Module 3: Using structure and design to address barriers
Module 4: Using wording and express to address barriers
Module 5: Final assignment
Facilitators
Catherine Buckie, Plain Language Consultant, iwritewell.ca.
Catherine is an independent plain language consultant in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki). She has worked with almost every department within the Government of Nova Scotia as well as with regulatory agencies, academics, and nonprofits.
For the past five years, Catherine has focussed on how plain language and accessibility work together to create communications for all members of society. As a member of the Technical Committee for Plain Language with Accessibility Standards Canada, Catherine helped craft Canada’s first plain language standard. She is also a member of the Information and Communication Standard Development Committee at the Accessibility Directorate of Nova Scotia. Catherine believes strongly that the needs of the audience should determine how public and private entities communicate.
Catherine spends much of her time volunteering as a Canadian Ski Patroller, Patient Family Advisor with Nova Scotia Health, and with the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Michelle Waitzman (she/her) (michellewaitzman.com) is a plain language specialist based in Toronto, Canada.
Michelle offers plain language consulting, training, writing, and editing services to nonprofits, government and regulatory agencies, businesses and specialty publishers. She is dedicated to helping organizations improve the quality, impact, and effectiveness of their content and communications.
Michelle specializes in writing about complex subjects in approachable, easy-to-understand ways. Author of four books and many articles and blog posts, Michelle has written about immigration, psychology, law, banking, taxes, personal finance, computer science, outdoor adventure and more.
Michelle serves on the board of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN). She is a member of Plain Canada Clair and Editors Canada.
Michelle also volunteers with PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services), a charity that provides financial support to struggling pet owners to help cover necessary medical expenses. She is a strong advocate for pet adoption and a lifelong dog lover.
- Instructor: Catherine Buckie
- Instructor: Michelle Waitzman
ISO Plain Language Standard: How it makes your communication easier
Course details here.
Weekly live virtual sessions: Tuesdays April 14, 21, 28, May 5.
Times: 4 x 3 hour sessions. Times to be decided.
Fee: $450.00 CAD Pay via PayPal at plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com
Register using your plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com account.
Choose your course, select the PayPal P link and when payment is complete, you'll have access to your course.
Let us know you are interested in future dates at [email protected].
Subject line April for April 14, 21,18, May 5.
Subject line Sept for September 15, 22, 29, Oct 6.
Request another date.
Instructors: Kate Harrison Whiteside and Nicole Watkins Campbell
The recent Plain Language International Standard gave us all a common definition and development guidelines. It put the focus on our audiences and how to plan, develop, design and test to ensure we really connect with them. It is one of the most important developments in our profession and we want to share it with you.
Goals
By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to apply the standard’s four key guidelines to your plain language writing. You will get tools, information, assignments and feedback. Successful completion leads to a Plain Language Academy Certificate.
Course
We use four live sessions for this course. In each live session, we will share information, review ISO guidelines, answer questions, and give you an assignment. We have fixed the dates for all four live sessions, but will check with all registered learners on the most convenient times. If you cannot attend a class, we will send you a recording of it.Weekly assignments submitted to instructors for feedback. Final assignments will be presented in last class.
Dates
Tuesdays. Times to be announced.
Topics:
Session 1: Opening: Introduction to plain language ISO guidelines and learning more about your readers. Audience awareness.
Session 2: Using text and design tools to help readers navigate – print and online.
Session 3: Creating easy-to-understand information. Tips and techniques. Final assignment.
Session 4: Measuring effective usability. Live group work testing for usability. Text supplied. Final assignments due. Activity contributes to final grade.
$450.00 CAD|You pay your fees by setting up your Plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com account. Then use the PayPal P link supplied next to course title. This registration process will give you access to your course.
If you need help or have questions, please email [email protected].
Instructors:
Kate Harrison Whiteside [email protected] My plain language training has been delivered in person, virtually, and online in Canada, US, Europe, and South Africa. I have done projects and training for all levels of government and know the challenges faced.
As a co-creator of today’s global professional network Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) and International Plain Language Day, my commitment is established. The online Plain Language Academies were developed to offer training to meet learners’ needs, be easily accessible, understandable and applicable. They reflect the global plain language standards in delivery and content.
In 2021, we won PLAIN’s Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award for our outstanding achievements.
I am passionate about plain language and motivated to share my skills and knowledge with others so they can experience the benefits too.
Nicole Watkins Campbell [email protected]I teach people to write and edit in plain language. I have taught through live sessions online and in person and through self-directed courses for nearly about 8 years. I edit government, non-profit, legal and technical information to make it clearer for the general public. I have presented at three international plain language conferences and a Canadian editing conference. My commitment to plain language has included providing feedback on Canada’s plain language accessibility standard and sitting on the executive of the Plain Language International Association board.
Weekly live virtual sessions: Tuesdays April 14, 21, 28, May 5.
Times: 4 x 3 hour sessions. Times to be decided.
Fee: $450.00 CAD Pay via PayPal at plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com
Register using your plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com account.
Choose your course, select the PayPal P link and when payment is complete, you'll have access to your course.
Let us know you are interested in future dates at [email protected].
Subject line April for April 14, 21,18, May 5.
Subject line Sept for September 15, 22, 29, Oct 6.
Request another date.
Instructors: Kate Harrison Whiteside and Nicole Watkins Campbell
The recent Plain Language International Standard gave us all a common definition and development guidelines. It put the focus on our audiences and how to plan, develop, design and test to ensure we really connect with them. It is one of the most important developments in our profession and we want to share it with you.
Goals
By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to apply the standard’s four key guidelines to your plain language writing. You will get tools, information, assignments and feedback. Successful completion leads to a Plain Language Academy Certificate.
Course
We use four live sessions for this course. In each live session, we will share information, review ISO guidelines, answer questions, and give you an assignment. We have fixed the dates for all four live sessions, but will check with all registered learners on the most convenient times. If you cannot attend a class, we will send you a recording of it.Weekly assignments submitted to instructors for feedback. Final assignments will be presented in last class.
Dates
Tuesdays. Times to be announced.
Topics:
Session 1: Opening: Introduction to plain language ISO guidelines and learning more about your readers. Audience awareness.
Session 2: Using text and design tools to help readers navigate – print and online.
Session 3: Creating easy-to-understand information. Tips and techniques. Final assignment.
Session 4: Measuring effective usability. Live group work testing for usability. Text supplied. Final assignments due. Activity contributes to final grade.
$450.00 CAD|You pay your fees by setting up your Plainlanguageacademy.moodlecloud.com account. Then use the PayPal P link supplied next to course title. This registration process will give you access to your course.
If you need help or have questions, please email [email protected].
Instructors:
Kate Harrison Whiteside [email protected] My plain language training has been delivered in person, virtually, and online in Canada, US, Europe, and South Africa. I have done projects and training for all levels of government and know the challenges faced.
As a co-creator of today’s global professional network Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) and International Plain Language Day, my commitment is established. The online Plain Language Academies were developed to offer training to meet learners’ needs, be easily accessible, understandable and applicable. They reflect the global plain language standards in delivery and content.
In 2021, we won PLAIN’s Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award for our outstanding achievements.
I am passionate about plain language and motivated to share my skills and knowledge with others so they can experience the benefits too.
Nicole Watkins Campbell [email protected]I teach people to write and edit in plain language. I have taught through live sessions online and in person and through self-directed courses for nearly about 8 years. I edit government, non-profit, legal and technical information to make it clearer for the general public. I have presented at three international plain language conferences and a Canadian editing conference. My commitment to plain language has included providing feedback on Canada’s plain language accessibility standard and sitting on the executive of the Plain Language International Association board.
ISO Plain Language Standard: How to make it work in organizations
Facilitators:
English: Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green, Plain Language Institute, South Africa
French: Chantale Audet and Amélie Bourret
Course dates and details here
In 2023, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the first international standard for Plain Language. The standard provides nearly universal Plain Language guidelines and techniques. In an organizational context, these guidelines and techniques can be translated into a content development process that delivers relevant, findable, understandable, and usable communication.This course will help you translate the principles and guidelines of the ISO Plain Language standard into a content development process tailored for your organisation.
Email your interest or questions to [email protected] or [email protected]
Facilitators:
English: Sarah Slabbert and Nadja Green, Plain Language Institute, South Africa
French: Chantale Audet and Amélie Bourret
Course dates and details here
In 2023, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the first international standard for Plain Language. The standard provides nearly universal Plain Language guidelines and techniques. In an organizational context, these guidelines and techniques can be translated into a content development process that delivers relevant, findable, understandable, and usable communication.This course will help you translate the principles and guidelines of the ISO Plain Language standard into a content development process tailored for your organisation.
Email your interest or questions to [email protected] or [email protected]
Discover more advanced courses
Course Policy, Registration Cancellation or Withdrawal
We know circumstances change. If you register and pay for a course, you can withdraw prior to the start of course for an 90% rebate.
If you withdraw in the first 5 days of the course, you receive an 80% refund.
After one week, we will credit your fees to the same course in the future or another course of equal fees.
f you wait two weeks or more, no refund is available.
Courses are generally available for 8 weeks. After that, unless special permission has been granted, you will be removed from the course. If you wish to complete it at a future date, you will have to pay again.
We know circumstances change. If you register and pay for a course, you can withdraw prior to the start of course for an 90% rebate.
If you withdraw in the first 5 days of the course, you receive an 80% refund.
After one week, we will credit your fees to the same course in the future or another course of equal fees.
f you wait two weeks or more, no refund is available.
Courses are generally available for 8 weeks. After that, unless special permission has been granted, you will be removed from the course. If you wish to complete it at a future date, you will have to pay again.