Plain and Simple: Providing Services you Need

All of The VRRI’s plain language services are offered at an affordable rate, with a discount rate offered to non-profit organizations. Please contact our plain language facilitator at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  if you require further information regarding our services outlined below.
 

Developing plain language resources

The VRRI has developed numerous resources on a variety of topics and continues to do so on an annual basis, topics of which are determined by the need expressed by the community. Some of the resources have involved a multimedia approach (e.g., development of DVDs).

Our plain language materials have been used or distributed by many organizations or groups who value accessible information such as:

• non-profit groups
• Government of Alberta
• Calgary Health Region
• Literacy Alberta
• university researchers
• advocacy groups

Developing plain language resources from an existing document

The VRRI also develops plain language resources from documents that already exist (e.g., training manuals, brochures about an organization, etc.). We work closely with the organization in order to ensure that no important messages are lost in the translation. One process often used in translating documents that already exist is to eliminate unnecessary information. Without the assistance of the organization providing the document, some messages can get left out.

Plain language facilitator workshops

The VRRI provides a half day workshop detailing the process we use for plain language translation and some of the tips and tricks we’ve learned through our 15 years of experience and collaboration with our translators.

Plain language document review

The VRRI provides a document review service, whereby we assess:

• the reading level of the language used
• the images that are used
• the layout of the text and images

Graphic Testing

Often, documents themselves may not be translated any further, however the images may need to become clearer to meet the needs of the target audience. The VRRI will test images with the plain language translators and offer suggestions for clearer images where necessary.