Plain Language
Keynote Speaker Recap: Would More Plain Language Have Saved Us From the Worst of the Pandemic?
A summary of Cynthia Baur’s keynote at the 2021 Plain Language Summit.
Communication
Good written and verbal communications make the government more effective and trustworthy.
More News and Events on Communication
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Professional Development
Webinar Recap: The Part-Timer
Learn how Joanne Short of the United States Postal Service (USPS) opened professional doors by going beyond her job description in her Plain Language Summit session, The Part-Timer.
Plain Language
Results of the 2021 Federal Report Card
David Lipscomb from the Center for PL will review the results of this year’s Federal Plain Language Report Card and answer questions.
2021
Three Ways USAGov Outreach Can Help with Your Agency’s Next Campaign
Three Ways USAGov Outreach Can Help with Your Agency’s Next Campaign—Does your agency have an idea for a new marketing strategy? USAGov’s Outreach team can support your agency in all stages of your campaign. We can brainstorm with your team, discuss best practices, and try new marketing approaches to grow together in serving people. Learn how to begin partnering with us.— via USA.gov
FAR Updated To Add Revised Section 508 Standards for Information and Communication Technology
FAR Updated To Add Revised Section 508 Standards for Information and Communication Technology—On January 18, 2017, the U.S. Access Board issued a final rule (the Revised 508 Standards) that updated accessibility requirements covered by Section 508 for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Read more about the final FAR rule update and changes effective as of September 10, 2021.— via Section508.gov
Plain Language
2021 Federal Plain Language Summit
On 9/21/21, PLAIN’s Fourth Federal PL Summit showcases federal employees’ plain language projects. Topics include COVID-19 agency responses, accessibility, user experience, and career enhancement.
2021
Storytelling
Using Plain Language To Tell Our Stories
Learn how to tell a story and figure out what role plain language plays in storytelling.
2021
Words make digital experiences human-centered, and require just as much thought as the branding and code. As federal agencies strive to use human-centered design, they need to remember that words and design work together. See how interfaces rely on language, and how your writing can make or break an experience. Learn principles for UX writing that anyone who works on digital products can apply to their own work.
2021
Communities
8 Ways Community of Practice (CoP) Managers Can Improve Member Engagement on Listservs
Are you a Digital.gov Community of Practice (CoP) lead? Find yourself participating in a CoP discussion and wondering what else you can do? We’ve got some suggestions.
Plain Language
Positioning Yourself as a Plain Language Editor
Learn how to brand yourself as a plain language expert and get the credit at work that you deserve!
Watch Video
2021
Digital Communications
Deep Fakes and Social Media
Deep fakes are an emerging threat that can disrupt agencies’ communication efforts and federal agencies should be prepared. Learn about deep fakes on social media, and how federal agencies can plan to combat a deep fake if they are targeted.
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2021
Social Media
Social Media Spring Session 2021
Join the SocialGov Community of Practice for the latest updates on social media topics including advertising campaigns, content archiving, and podcasting.
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2021
6 Ways To Navigate the Civic Tech Sea of Newness
Two former private-sector marketers now serving as Presidential Innovation Fellows share tips for building relationships and finding your way as a civic technologist.
Plain Language
Plain Language: Accessibility for Content
Come join us as we focus on concerns and opportunities shared by the Section 508 and plain language communities in Government!
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2021
Marketing
Five Insider Secrets to Engaging Emails
Engaging readers who receive hundreds of emails a day is not easy, but it starts with the most critical starting point—empathy for their time.
Social Media
Federal Social Media Week 2020!
2020 has been an unprecedented year for challenges and opportunities in social media. SocialGov’s Federal Social Media Week 2020 will bring you some interesting perspectives on how to keep social media moving and successful for 2021.
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2020
Plain Language
2020 Federal Plain Language Summit
Join us for discussion from government and private-sector leaders on how to advance plain language in government communications. Hear lessons learned and victories of every size.
2020
Product lessons from the front lines of COVID-19 civic tech response
Two Presidential Innovation Fellows share how we can build digital services quickly without compromising quality for the public in times of crisis.
Plain Language
Plain Language Basics: Online Workshop
Take this three-hour online workshop to learn how to write and edit in plain language.
Watch Video
2020
Plain Language
Plain Language Basics: Online Workshop
Take this three-hour online workshop to learn how to write and edit in plain language.
Watch Video
2020
