The importance of reading level for accessibility

The importance of reading level for accessibility  

The ability to read is essential for accessing information and participating in society. Yet not everyone can read at the same level. Some people may have a lower reading age due to a disability, a language barrier, or education level. This can make it harder for them to understand written information. 

Accessibility is fundamental to the digital customer experience. The OneCX Program is building nsw.gov.au as the one place for customers to get information from the NSW Government. In bringing together content from over 450 agency websites, we are working to deliver an inclusive experience. A significant component of accessibility lies in the reading level of the content.  

By making content easy to read, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to information and services.  

What is reading level?  

Reading level is a measure of how difficult a piece of text is to read. It is typically measured on a scale of 1 to 12, with 1 being the easiest and 12 being the most difficult. The NSW government recommends we write for the reading comprehension of a 9-year-old. This helps our content reach the most customers.

If a complex topic or process needs to be explained, we aim for a reading age of a 12 to 14-year-old. This is consistent with WCAG 2.1 criterion 3.1.5 level AAA.
 
Here are some specific reasons why reading level is important for accessibility: 

• People with reading disabilities may have difficulty understanding complex sentences, unfamiliar vocabulary, or long paragraphs. 

• Those who do not speak English as a first language may not be familiar with certain words or phrases. They may not be able to understand the nuances of the English language. 

• People who may be distracted while reading may have difficulty following long or complex passages of text. 

Why do we recommend Grade 9 or below?  

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 96% of people in NSW have completed Year 9 or higher at school. For this reason, we recommend that content is written at grade 9 or below. This ensures that most people in NSW will be able to understand the information. 

How can you make your content more accessible?

There are many things that you can do to make your content more accessible to people of all reading levels.  

• Use short sentences and simple words. 

• Avoid jargon and technical terms. 

• Break up long paragraphs into shorter ones. 

• Use headings and subheadings to help people scan the text. 

• Provide clear and concise instructions. 

• Use images and other visuals to supplement the text. 

• Provide alternative formats, such as audio or video, which can help people who have difficulty reading text.   

As part of the NSW Government’s commitment to digital accessibility, we follow the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The guidelines emphasise the importance of creating content that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. 

Recommended resources  

• Plain and inclusive language | Digital.NSW
• The Accessibility and Inclusivity Toolkit 
• NSW Government Digital Service Toolkit 

The reading level of a piece of text is an important factor for accessibility. By making your content more accessible to people of all reading levels, you can ensure that everyone can access and engage with government information and services effortlessly. It’s not just a responsibility—it is a commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and equal opportunities.