Accessibility through plain language and artificial intelligence

Accessibility is one of the European Union’s priorities, yet many member countries are lagging behind in putting in place accessible practices, not only in the area of physical accessibility but also, and above all, in the area of cognitive accessibility. A study of adult skills conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that, on average, 49% of the population aged 16 to 65 in the 24 countries and regions that took part in the study do not have the desirable level of literacy skills (OECD, 2013). Literacy is defined in this study as “the ability to understand, evaluate, use and engage with written texts to participate in society, to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential” (OECD, 2013, page 64).

Clear and effective communication

We live in a society that is undergoing very rapid change and whose data is increasingly complex to grasp (new technologies, global warming, geopolitical issues, etc.). Clear and effective communication is therefore more necessary than ever to ‘translate’ the complexity of the world into a language that can be understood by all European citizens.

The use of plain language

One of the ways of promoting understanding and access to knowledge and information for all is through plain language. This is a way of writing that aims to use everyday language to address everyone. Plain language proposes linguistic rules (short sentences, appropriate vocabulary) and rules for presenting information. Clear language also encourages writers to identify who their readers are, so that they can adapt to their needs. The “Clear writing for Europe 2023” conference, taking place on 23 May 2023 in Brussels, illustrates Europe’s desire to think about simplifying the language used in the administrations of its Member States to enable all EU citizens to participate more fully in democratic life. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes plain language in its definition of communication. Finally, other countries have led the way and continue to do so, such as New Zealand, which recently passed legislation to ensure that public sector documents and websites communicate in plain language.

That said, clear language and accessible resources are very little developed outside the administrative, institutional and legislative sectors. However, the information, training and vocational education sectors are also areas that focus on the written word and are central to the integration of individuals. Failure to adapt these written products so that they are suitable for as many people as possible necessarily results in the exclusion of some people who have difficulty reading and understanding the written word.

Artificial intelligence as a brake lever

With the development of artificial intelligence, technological solutions exist to massify the use of plain language, in the same way that new translation tools contribute to the internationalisation of resources and exchanges. These tools offer a real prospect of major progress in the medium term towards the inclusion of all citizens in society, by supporting professionals in the production and evaluation of written content that is accessible to all in substance.

Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionise all professional sectors in the near future. As far as digital inclusion and accessibility are concerned, it will make it possible to remove the obstacles that were preventing the mass production of content (lack of knowledge of the issues and needs, lack of training, lack of specific resources, cost of adaptations for audiences considered to be “too few”). Artificial intelligence is also a response to the fact that most written material is now made available in digital environments, which often need to be regularly updated to remain relevant. Technological and scientific progress to automate the production of content adapted to audiences with difficulties with the written word is a credible response to the massification of written content on all media.

The European Text it Easy project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme, aims to disseminate plain language, using tools based on artificial intelligence, in all professional sectors, first and foremost the education and vocational training sector, in order to improve access to information and communication for all citizens and thus promote their inclusion and involvement in society. The vocational education and training sector is at the heart of lifelong learning and the development of professional practices. Integrating and defending practices in favour of universal accessibility makes it possible to meet a dual objective:
> to raise awareness among future professionals of the challenges of universal accessibility, so that they can implement more inclusive professional practices in the future.
-> sensibiliser les futurs professionnels aux enjeux de l’accessibilité universelle pour qu’ils puissent implémenter dans le futur des pratiques professionnelles plus inclusives.