Recommendation 5.1.1 Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the site content
The New Zealand Web Standards 2.0 were released in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0 (below). See Meeting the standards for more information.
The Recommendation
Recommendation 5.1.1 Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content
Guide to this recommendation
This recommendation covers the W3C WAI checkpoint 14.1 for NZ government agencies.
Related Recommendation
16.1.1 - Divide large blocks of information into manageable groups
Rationale for this recommendation
Jargon and complex or sophisticated language may be understood by a select audience familiar with the jargon of language complexities, but will not necessarily be understood or clear to all users. A user may be skimming through content to determine if the item(s) of content is/are what they are looking for. If the language used contains jargon and/or is complex, it is more difficult to skim.
For further detail, see the Irish National Disability Authority's 1.6 Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate.
