[Article] Canada’s first Plain Language Standard

Accessibility Standards Canada published the CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 Plain Language standard, which is the first National Standard of Canada on plain language. Accessibility Standards Canada notes that plain language is essential to accessibility and inclusion. The new standard provides organizations with practical requirements and principles to remove communication barriers.

The standard: 

• explains when plain language should be used,
• describes barriers people may face,
• sets out clear steps and strategies for removing and preventing those barriers.

Plain Language defines how to:

• identify the intended audience and barriers they may face
• evaluate a communication to ensure that it meets the needs of the intended audiences
• create an effective structure for a communication
• make information easy to understand for the intended audience
• use physical and visual elements to help the intended audience find and understand the information they need

Associated links

• CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 – Plain Language standard
• Summary of CAN-ASC 3.1:2025 – Plain Language standard
• Accessibility Standards Canada
• Directive on the Management of Communications