| Action Plan Elements |
Suggested Items to Include in Action
Plan |
Suggested Actions to Document in Progress
Report |
| |
Due: January 1, 2001 |
Due: January 1, 2002 |
| Provide adequate resources to implement
plain language. |
Establish resources for implementing your
Action Plan.
|
Document implementation of your Action
Plan including staff assigned, contractors hired, and
funds available. |
| Train all staff, as appropriate, in plain
language. |
Establish priorities for training specialized
groups of writers, such as those who prepare documents
that go to the largest number of people or result in the
most follow-up questions or requests. (See "NIH Training
and Resources" list for training classes, consultants,
on-line resources, and videotapes.) |
List training provided to staff to date,
including types of training and who received it. |
| Require contractors who produce written
products to do so in plain language. |
Provide sample contract language requiring
contractors to use plain language; provide contractors
with "Guidelines for Using Plain Language at NIH"; require
contractors to submit examples of writing before awarding
contracts, etc. |
Provide documentation of your requirements
for contractors. |
| Require staff to use the "Guidelines for
Using Plain Language at NIH" or their equivalent. |
Send a memorandum to staff requiring that
they write in plain language and attach the "Guidelines." |
Provide a copy of a memorandum directing
your staff to write in plain language. |
| Require controlled correspondence to be
written in plain language. |
Have your controlled correspondence staff
return documents for revision if not written in plain
language; develop an EPMS plain language element for writers'
performance plans. |
Provide a copy of your memorandum to staff
informing them of this requirement; describe samples of
plain language documents and any examples of cost or time
savings. |
| Require Web sites to be written in plain
language. |
Provide specialized training in Web site
development (with focus on readability). |
List IC/OD Web sites written in plain
language and plans for revising other sites as necessary.
Describe any cost or time savings. |
| Participate in an awards and recognition
program for plain language implementation. |
Submit nominations for
1) NIH Plain Language awards
2) NPR Awards
3) Internal IC or OD awards |
Provide copies of nominations and any
awards received for plain language efforts. |
| Comply with January 2002 requirement that
all documents created prior to 10/98 which are still in
use are rewritten in plain language.
|
Send a memorandum to all staff prioritizing
documents to be rewritten in plain language in addition
to using plain language in all new documents. |
Describe documents written and revised/steps
being taken; include any cost or time savings. |
| Optional--Summarize your experience
and provide any examples: |
| Success stories: |
| Problems: |
| Print Name and Title of
Person Submitting IC or OD Staff Office Date |
| Send to: NIH Executive Secretariat. |
| Questionnaire.wpd
8/8/00 |
