Augmented Language: A 
Brief Introduction 
Accessibility Video Tutorials 

Katie Allen 
Center on Victimization and Safety 
Vera Institute of Justice 

December 23, 2019 

This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-TA-AX-K068 awarded by the Office on Violence Against 
Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
expressed in this program are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the 
Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. 


What we will cover in this video 

In this video, we will discuss & demonstrate: 

What is Simple, Easy to Read Language? 
What is Augmented Language? 
Why does Augmented Language matter for 
survivors with disabilities? 
How can we use Augmented Language in our 
materials for survivors? How do we 
communicate meaning with images? 


Vera Institute of Justice, center on victimization and safety logo

What is Simple, Easy-to-Read 
Language? 
Communicating simply and accessibly for 
survivors with disabilities 


Simple, Easy-to-Read Language 

• simplifies language to 
be more clear, 
welcoming, and 
understandable for 
survivors with cognitive 
disabilities 
• Concrete nouns and 
verbs 
• Fewer words 
• Simpler, more common 
words 


• Short sentences with one 
idea 
• Sentences without 
conditions (if, then) 
• Direct, active sentences 
• Share only necessary 
information 
• Give examples 



What is Augmented Language? 
Communicating with images 


Augmented Language 

Simple, easy-to read 
language that 

• Includes complementary 
images to fully convey 
the written concepts 
• Offers alternative & 
multiple ways to 
engage with materials: 
audio recordings, video, 
tactile maps, interactive 
multimedia 


smiling face emoji
and 
tactile map in Hong Kong of directions. includes audio descirptions. 

Who is Simple & Augmented 
Language for? 

Simple & Augmented Language is simpler than plain 

language. 

Plain Language 

Universal, default 

Simple Language & 
Augmented Language 

Adapted for people with 
cognitive disabilities, 
including intellectual 
disabilities. Augmented 
language is simple 
language augmented 
with images. 


Using Simple & Augmented 
Language in our communications 
In materials and interactions 


We all learn in many ways 

Watching: 

• Videos 
• Illustrations/animation 
• Demonstration 


Interacting: 

• Webinars 
• Guided e-learning 
• Games 


Doing: 

• Action/experience 

Listening 

• Storytelling 
• Podcasts 


Reading: 

• Books 
• Papers/Briefs/other 
publications 
• Articles & Blogs 
• Statistics, charts, graphs 



Writing in Simple & Augmented 
Language 

• Share instructional information in a step-by-step 
method, with corresponding images 
• Use one line or one bullet point for each idea 
or step 
• Use larger print, sans serif font (16-22 pt. font) 
• Don’t use euphemisms 
• Use numbers (3) instead of the spellings (three) 



Simple, Easy to Read Language 
Example: Outreach Materials 

Plain Language: 

It can be overwhelming 
to go back to work after 
an assault. You might feel 
distracted and 
emotionally worn-out. We 
can help you figure out 
how to pay your bills. 

Easy-to-Read 
Language: 

If you are hurt or 
abused: 

• It can be hard to go 
to work. 
• You might feel sad or 
tired. 
• We can help you. 



Augmented Language Example: 
Web Communications 

“Do you need to talk? 
You can talk to a crisis 
counselor on the phone. 
A crisis counselor is a 
person who will listen to 
you. A crisis counselor 
will help you get 
support. Please call 
555-5555. You can call 
anytime of day or 
night.” 

Animation of a Black woman who is a crisis counselor speaking on the phone to a Latina woman seeking counseling

Using 
Pictures 

Power and Control wheel with picutres depicting each category fo abuse against women with disabilities: Bullying; Emotional Abuse; Isolation; Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming; Using Children; Economic Abuse; Taking, withholding needed support; and Force and threats. 
Created by: 

Project Peer, 
Washington, D.C., 

Power and Control 
Wheel for Women 

with Developmental 
Disabilities and/or 
mental health issues 


Choosing Images for Materials 

• It is important to choose images that: 

• Are representative, accurate, and relevant to 
the content. 
• Use adequate color contrast 
• Include alternative text and captions 


• Watch our video about Alternative Text to 
learn more about how to make images 
accessible for survivors with disabilities. 


How do I know if my language 
is easy to read and augmented? 

Ask! 

• Invite people with cognitive and intellectual 
disabilities to the table from the beginning. 
• Compensate people with disabilities for their 
work. 
• Not all intellectual and cognitive disabilities are 
the same. 


“Nothing about us without us.” 


To Recap: Simple & Augmented 
Language 

Augmented language is simple and “easy to read”. 

Simple and Augmented 
language is more accessible for 
survivors with intellectual and 
other cognitive disabilities. 
It is helpful to offer multiple 
ways and formats for survivors 
to access your materials and 
information. We all learn in 
different ways. 


Simple, easy-to-read language is 
concrete, direct language. It uses 
short sentences with simple 
words (mostly nouns and verbs). 
Augmented language includes 
images, symbols, examples, and 
definitions of unfamiliar terms. 
Invite people with intellectual 
disabilities to develop materials in 
augmented language. 



Thank you! 

For more information and videos about accessible 
content, visit: www.endabusepwd.org 

Ending abuse of people with disabilities is a team effort. 
Contact us for support: 

End Abuse Email Address: cvs@vera.org 
End Abuse Phone Number: (212) 376-3096 
End Abuse Toll Free Phone Number: (855) 274-8222