The Scottish Government has funded projects at organisations such as the Scottish Accessible Information Forum, Communications Forum Scotland and an Inclusive Communications stakeholder group.

Disability and equality groups have campaigned for the Government to use plain language and this should be embedded in the Government’s communication strategy. Inaccessible information is one of the biggest barriers there is to inclusion and to an informed electorate. The continued use of this kind of language such as charrettes (Taking planning to the masses, 11 February) is unacceptable.

Does equality law not apply to the Scottish Government? Have its civil servants not heard of best practice in community engagement?

Obviously not!

Jargon is not confined to planners.

It permeates every document the Government publishes and so far it seems unable to strip it out.

Until there is commitment at ministerial level to embrace accessible and inclusive communication we are stuck with this. It is unnecessary, expensive, discriminatory and dis-empowers people!

Liz
Holyrood.com comment