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Newsflash

There are times when plain English works best

Published: Thursday, August 26, 2010

Free seminar for NGO sector Friday 10 September 2010, Newman House, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2


With an estimated one in four adults having a significant literacy difficulty, agencies dealing with the public face particular challenges in ensuring that people can understand and use their services. One step in the right direction is to use plain English. This means presenting information in a way that helps someone understand it the first time they read or hear it. Plain English makes sense because clearer information is more likely to save time, money and possible frustration in clarifying misunderstandings.

This September, as part of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week and the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, NALA will launch a campaign to encourage organisations dealing with members of the public facing disadvantage to be fully accessible to people with literacy difficulties. This will include a seminar on removing literacy-related barriers in organisations, followed by free plain English writing workshops for relevant staff in government departments, public bodies and NGOs.

Please RSVP to info@nala.ie or call 01 855 4332.

This campaign is being organised to raise awareness of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, and is part funded by the Social Inclusion Division in the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

National Adult Literacy Awareness Week 2010 - 6 - 10 September

Adults count too - Launch of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week 2010
Monday 6 September - 11am - 1pm, Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland, Dublin 2


(At this event we will launch findings from a new adult numeracy survey that should get the nation talking about the importance of literacy and maths in everyday life. There will be a presentation about the survey and contributions from Minister Sean Haughey, students, tutors and adult numeracy specialists.)

Skills for life - International Literacy Day Conference BOOK NOW!
Wednesday 8 September - 10am - 6pm, Main Hall, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8


(This will be the high point of NALA's 30th birthday celebrations, with contributions from the Department of Education and Skills and international literacy and numeracy experts. The conference will be attended by approximately 300 people involved in adult literacy in Ireland, VECs and other key stakeholders in the education and training sector, and will culminate in a huge reception for students and tutors at 4pm. It promises to be a very informative and fun-packed day with something for everyone. See the attached programme for more details.)

Simply put - Plain English training for organisations dealing with the public
Friday 10 September - 9.30am - 1pm, Newman House, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2


(Having difficulties reading and writing often excludes people from accessing services and carrying out a range of everyday activities. This information session will train organisations dealing with the public to develop practices that reduce literacy-related barriers to accessing information - in public services, at work and in the community.)