World Usability Day 2009:
The Importance of Usability + Plain Language
What It Is
World Usability Day is an annual event highlighting the importance of good design and ease–of–use in everyday products and services, including government websites. Last year's celebration included over 200 activities in 43 countries.
Why It's Important
Our theme for World Usability Day 2009 is "The Importance of Usability + Plain Language."
Simple, well–written documents and websites are the foundation of effective, transparent government. With plain language and usability principles working together, government regulations, policies, websites, and online forms become more usable, and government becomes more efficient, effective, and accountable.
How to Implement
- Slides and Exercises from "Learn to Write Anything in Plain Language" course taught by Plain Language expert, Michael Schwartz (November 2009)
- Use our Plain Language + Usability Resource List to continue to improve your documents and websites
- Get details on how to enter the ClearMark Plain Language Awards 2010, which includes awards for Best Government Website and Best Government Document Written in Plain Language
Follow–up Resources
- Read and comment on the Usability + Plain Language GovGab blog by usability expert, Whitney Quesenbury, on Monday, November 9, 2009
- Read and comment on the Craig Newmark's (Craigslist) blog and Fed blog on Plain Language
- Request a FREE half–day Plain Language course to be held at your agency
- Find other resources at PlainLanguage.gov and CenterforPlainLanguage.org
- Explore the newly–redesigned Usability.gov
- Check out at WorldUsabilityDay.org for hundreds of other usability activities
Sponsorship
This World Usability Day 2009 event is jointly sponsored by
- USA.gov and the GSA Office of Citizen Services and Communications
- PlainLanguage.gov
- Center for Plain Language
