OLYMPIA, Wash.-Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to require state agencies to adopt a plain language policy to ensure that information is easy to understand and inclusive.
Executive Order 23-02 requires state agencies to simplify and review their most-viewed public materials for plain language writing and design on a regular basis.
Plain language in writing and design minimizes confusion and errors according to a press release on the order from Governor Inslee’s Office, it also supports efforts to disseminate information in multiple languages and improves access for readers.
“Any complexity adds to inequity,” said Governor Inslee. “The more complex [something is], the more challenging because of language or disability to navigate [a system], you’re just putting up more U-turns and dead ends.”
