Information Access: What is a Champion?
Info Access Values & Resources
A champion is not perfect. But they are always trying. Improve information access by following these values.
Accessibility
People with disabilities should be able to get information important to them. Information should be:
- Clear, understandable and jargon-free.
- Written at a 5th – 8th grade level.
- Shared in different ways.
- Available for all ages.
- Available in braille, large print and audio recordings when needed.
- Available by talking to a knowledgeable and helpful person.
- On accessible websites.
- Given to support a person’s informed choice.
- Helpful whether or not a person can get any services.
Clear/Plain Language Examples
| BEFORE | AFTER |
|---|---|
| The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey indicates that 21.5 percent of people in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Of those, 8.2 percent speak English less than very well and therefore meet the definition of limited English proficient. Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 2023 Language Access Plan | The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey shows that 21.5 percent of people in the United States speak a language other than English at home. Of those, 8.2 percent speak English less than very well and therefore meet the definition of limited English proficient. |
| Recipients of federal funds must comply with federal civil rights laws and provide written notice of their legal obligation and compliance with regulations as they relate to language access…Complaints should be addressed in a timely and reasonable manner. Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 2023 Language Access Plan | Agencies that receive federal funds must follow federal civil rights laws and put in writing that they will do their legal duties and follow rules that relate to language access. Complaints should be dealt with as quickly as possible. |
Inclusion
All people should have access to information that respects their culture, is translated well and meets their community’s needs and preferences.
- We respect all cultures, types of families and languages.
- We translate information so that meaning and intent are not lost.
- We accept and respect people’s life choices, beliefs and the LGBTQ+ community.
Collaboration
People with disabilities, families, advocates, service providers and policymakers should work together to make information access inclusive.
- We make sure the lived experience of people with disabilities and families is a part of solutions.
- We pay people with disabilities and families for their knowledge and expertise.
- We listen to understand.
- We are direct and honest.
- We support each other’s efforts.
Continuous Improvement
Plans for information access should be regularly reviewed to make sure they work well and meet changing needs.
- We create lasting solutions.
- We use feedback and data to improve.
- We hold ourselves and others accountable.
- We change as our understanding of cultures grows.
- We are not road-blocked by change in leadership, fear or jadedness.
- We keep up with new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
What Champions Receive
Sign the pledge to get:
- A free poster
- A badge for your website
- Your organization added to our Wall of Champions
- A self-evaluation form and other tips
- Connections
- Added to our Constant Contact email list
- Invitations to info access events
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions by value. Info access values include accessibility, inclusion, continuous improvement and collaboration.
Accessibility
Clear language is straightforward and avoids jargon. In terms of reading level, we aim for a 5th-8th grade reading level. View tutorials in our Accessibility Resource Booklet “Write at a 5th – 8th Grade Level” section. These tutorials are for PC and MAC systems. You can also try the Hemingway Editor or an AI program such as ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot or Gemini. When using AI, request “clear language” and review the content before publishing.
Use “How to Develop Products for Adults with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities and Extreme Low Literacy.” This user guide has advice for sharing information through stories and pictures. You can also make videos.
This depends on who you are serving, their preferences and their needs. For example, you can share your info through your website, newsletters, infographics, videos, comics or more.
Access to information is a fundamental right. Organizations must provide reasonable accommodations. This is a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For braille transcription resources, see the American Council of the Blind’s list of Producers of Braille Documents. You can also ask Domonique Lawless from the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) for more resources at (804) 371-3112 or Domonique.Lawless@dbvi.virginia.gov. For information on ASL interpreters, visit the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) Interpreter Services Program page. State and local agencies can call about the VDDHH Interpreter Services Agreement at (804) 662-9502.
View tips from our Accessibility Resource Booklet “Create an Accessible Website” section. You may find these two items most useful: 1) Introduction to Web Accessibility and 2) Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA.