CDC Scientific and Technical Information: Simply Put
This guide will help you translate complicated scientific
and technical information into material that captures and keeps the interest of
your intended audience.
Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/cdcynergy_training/Content/activeinformation/resources/simpput.pdf
[PDF file, 36 pages, 3.06 Mb]
Clear & Simple: Developing Effective Print Materials
for Low-Literate Readers
This guide, developed by the National Cancer Institute,
outlines a process for developing publications for people with limited literacy
skills. The process was derived from communications, health education, and
literacy research and practice. Writers who have produced low-literacy
materials contributed their expertise.
Available at
www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinformation/clearandsimple
Creating Websites That Work
Kathryn and Michael Summers provide step-by-step
information and tools for developing effective Web sites.
Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2005
Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content That
Works
Janice (Ginny) Redish provides a comprehensive and
accessible overview of writing Web content, with screenshots and examples
included throughout.
Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2007
NIA: Making Your Website Senior Friendly
This publication summarizes the best practices of the
National Institute on Aging (NIA) Web site, NIH SeniorHealth
(http://NIHSeniorHealth.gov). Providing practical guidance to developers of Web
content, this publication uses examples to illustrate points such as using
action verbs in headers and incorporating video, audio, and pictures to better
reach the older population.
Available at
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/website.htm
PlainLanguage.gov
Designed to improve communication from the Federal
Government to the public, this Web site contains excellent tools and examples
of plain language.
Available at www.plainlanguage.gov
Quick Guide to Health Literacy
This toolkit from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) provides content development tips and explains "why" to improve
health literacy as well as "how to" do it. You will find user-friendly,
action-oriented materials that can be easily referenced, reproduced, and shared
with colleagues.
Available at
www.health.gov/communication/literacy
Accessible Health Information Technology (Health IT) for
Populations With Limited Literacy: A Guide for Developers and Purchasers of
Health IT
The evidence-based guide from the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality includes a checklist for Web site developers as well as
general recommendations for improving the accessibility of all health IT.
Available at
http://healthit.ahrq.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_1248_803031_0_0_18/LiteracyGuide.pdf
[PDF file, 21 pages, 268 Kb]
Usability.gov
This Web site is a great reference for conducting
usability testing and user-centered design. The site includes checklists,
descriptions of methods, and sample testing documents and research
protocols.
Available at www.usability.gov
Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines
These guidelines are based on more than 400 separate
sources of research and have been reviewed by experts from across Government,
industry, and academia. Each guideline includes a "relative importance" rating
as well as a "strength of evidence" rating.
Available at
www.usability.gov/guidelines/index.html
Easy-to-Use Health Information on the Web
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