{"id":38,"date":"2019-11-18T17:58:48","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T22:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/svmfkpu\/?post_type=chapter&p=38"},"modified":"2022-12-15T12:49:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T17:49:20","slug":"plain-language","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/svmfkpu\/chapter\/plain-language\/","title":{"raw":"Plain Language","rendered":"Plain Language"},"content":{"raw":"

Speaker: Ruth Wilson, West Coast Editorial Associates<\/h2>\r\n

Video Player<\/h2>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/media.bccampus.ca\/id\/0_x8srwt53?width=608&height=402&playerId=23449753[\/embed]\r\n

Video Transcript<\/h2>\r\nJennifer Jordan: So<\/span> I'd<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> introduce<\/span> Ruth<\/span> Wilson<\/span> from<\/span> West<\/span> coast<\/span> Editorial<\/span> Associates<\/span> to<\/span> present<\/span> on<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> SVM<\/span> policies<\/span> and<\/span> processes.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Thank<\/span> you.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> drew<\/span> the<\/span> short<\/span> straw.<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> the<\/span> blood<\/span> sugars<\/span> at<\/span> your<\/span> lowest<\/span> now.<\/span> So<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> need<\/span> coffee<\/span> or<\/span> you<\/span> don't<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> just<\/span> stand<\/span> up<\/span> and<\/span> dance<\/span> in<\/span> front<\/span> of<\/span> me,<\/span> that's<\/span> okay.<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> moving<\/span> a<\/span> bit<\/span> myself<\/span> because<\/span> I'm<\/span> starting<\/span> to<\/span> feel<\/span> that<\/span> bit<\/span> myself.<\/span> So<\/span> thank<\/span> you.<\/span> Thank<\/span> you<\/span> for<\/span> having<\/span> me<\/span> today.<\/span> I'm<\/span> really<\/span> pleased<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> here.<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> focus<\/span> on<\/span> just<\/span> one<\/span> small<\/span> piece<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> puzzle<\/span> of<\/span> best<\/span> practices<\/span> and<\/span> that's<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> in<\/span> your<\/span> procedures<\/span> and<\/span> process.<\/span> So<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> cover<\/span> why<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is<\/span> important<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> most<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> probably<\/span> think<\/span> you<\/span> do<\/span> know<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> and<\/span> I'm<\/span> sure<\/span> you<\/span> do<\/span> know<\/span> some<\/span> aspect<\/span> of<\/span> it,<\/span> but<\/span> for<\/span> those<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> who<\/span> may<\/span> not<\/span> have<\/span> worked<\/span> or<\/span> written<\/span> or<\/span> developed<\/span> procedures<\/span> within<\/span> a<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> framework,<\/span> I<\/span> think<\/span> that<\/span> will<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> useful<\/span> quick<\/span> definition<\/span> for<\/span> you.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: And<\/span> for<\/span> those<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> who<\/span> have<\/span> worked<\/span> within<\/span> the<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> framework,<\/span> it<\/span> will<\/span> confirm<\/span> that<\/span> it's<\/span> more<\/span> than<\/span> just<\/span> short<\/span> words<\/span> and<\/span> simple<\/span> phrases.<\/span> It's<\/span> a<\/span> broader<\/span> and<\/span> deeper<\/span> concept<\/span> than<\/span> that.<\/span> And<\/span> the<\/span> third<\/span> is<\/span> just<\/span> quickly<\/span> how<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> apply<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> to<\/span> your<\/span> procedures<\/span> documents.<\/span> Well<\/span> that's<\/span> a<\/span> two<\/span> day<\/span> workshop<\/span> so<\/span> we<\/span> don't<\/span> have<\/span> that.<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> give<\/span> you<\/span> three<\/span> principles<\/span> to<\/span> walk<\/span> away<\/span> with<\/span> and<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> think<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> and<\/span> apply<\/span> those<\/span> in<\/span> your<\/span> work,<\/span> you'll<\/span> have<\/span> taken<\/span> a<\/span> great<\/span> leap<\/span> forward.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> to<\/span> cover<\/span> in<\/span> 30<\/span> minutes.<\/span> I'll<\/span> do<\/span> my<\/span> best<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> you<\/span> on<\/span> time<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> next<\/span> break.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> let's<\/span> start<\/span> with<\/span> why<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is<\/span> important.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> start<\/span> that<\/span> by<\/span> telling<\/span> you<\/span> why<\/span> it's<\/span> important<\/span> to<\/span> me<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> believe<\/span> that<\/span> most<\/span> of<\/span> you,<\/span> if<\/span> not<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> you,<\/span> will<\/span> relate<\/span> to<\/span> at<\/span> least<\/span> some<\/span> of<\/span> my<\/span> own<\/span> experiences<\/span> because<\/span> they're<\/span> human<\/span> experiences.<\/span> Plain<\/span> language<\/span> is<\/span> something<\/span> I'm<\/span> passionate<\/span> about<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> my<\/span> entire<\/span> career.<\/span> My<\/span> passion<\/span> was<\/span> born,<\/span> both<\/span> from<\/span> my<\/span> choice<\/span> of<\/span> career<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> editor<\/span> and<\/span> an<\/span> instructor<\/span> of<\/span> editorial<\/span> skills,<\/span> and<\/span> also<\/span> by<\/span> my<\/span> personal<\/span> life<\/span> experiences<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> homeowner,<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> consumer<\/span> of<\/span> goods<\/span> and<\/span> services,<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> parent,<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> voter,<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> engaged<\/span> citizen.<\/span> So<\/span> you<\/span> may<\/span> not<\/span> all<\/span> be<\/span> parents,<\/span> but<\/span> besides<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> are<\/span> all<\/span> those<\/span> things.<\/span> First,<\/span> you<\/span> should<\/span> know<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> am<\/span> in<\/span> no<\/span> way<\/span> an<\/span> expert<\/span> on<\/span> sexual<\/span> violence<\/span> policy<\/span> and<\/span> procedures,<\/span> but<\/span> I<\/span> am<\/span> a<\/span> seasoned<\/span> veteran<\/span> in<\/span> reading,<\/span> deciphering,<\/span> translating<\/span> policies<\/span> and<\/span> procedures<\/span> for<\/span> others<\/span> written<\/span> by<\/span> subject<\/span> matter<\/span> experts,<\/span> or<\/span> industry<\/span> experts<\/span> from<\/span> all<\/span> walks<\/span> of<\/span> life<\/span> in<\/span> all<\/span> subject<\/span> matters.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> my<\/span> expertise,<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> something<\/span> that<\/span> needs<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> translated<\/span> for<\/span> somebody<\/span> else.<\/span> So<\/span> I'm<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> guinea<\/span> pig.<\/span> You<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> it<\/span> by<\/span> my<\/span> eyes<\/span> and<\/span> my<\/span> brain<\/span> first.<\/span> And<\/span> that<\/span> can<\/span> some<\/span> days<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> real<\/span> challenge.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> an<\/span> alarming<\/span> number<\/span> of<\/span> documents<\/span> that<\/span> have<\/span> landed<\/span> on<\/span> my<\/span> desk<\/span> over<\/span> the<\/span> years<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> almost<\/span> indecipherable.<\/span> And<\/span> my<\/span> job<\/span> is<\/span> to<\/span> turn<\/span> them<\/span> into<\/span> something<\/span> that<\/span> people<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> read,<\/span> that<\/span> understand<\/span> it<\/span> when<\/span> they<\/span> read<\/span> it,<\/span> and<\/span> can<\/span> put<\/span> it<\/span> to<\/span> use<\/span> when<\/span> they<\/span> need<\/span> to.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> simply<\/span> it.<\/span> On<\/span> the<\/span> professional<\/span> side,<\/span> I<\/span> got<\/span> into<\/span> the<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> biz<\/span> before<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> ...<\/span> well<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> called<\/span> that,<\/span> but<\/span> before<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> well<\/span> known<\/span> thing.<\/span> I<\/span> began<\/span> my<\/span> editorial<\/span> career<\/span> at<\/span> Self-Counsel<\/span> Press.<\/span> It's<\/span> a<\/span> local<\/span> book<\/span> publisher<\/span> of<\/span> legal<\/span> and<\/span> business<\/span> books<\/span> and<\/span> I'm<\/span> proud<\/span> to<\/span> say,<\/span> and<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> sound<\/span> so<\/span> simplistic<\/span> now,<\/span> but<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> key<\/span> mandate<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> books<\/span> that<\/span> they<\/span> must<\/span> be<\/span> written<\/span> in<\/span> non-sexist<\/span> language.<\/span> That<\/span> was<\/span> sort<\/span> of<\/span> ...<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> it.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: All<\/span> the<\/span> other<\/span> ...<\/span> everything<\/span> we<\/span> talk<\/span> about<\/span> now,<\/span> but<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> big<\/span> deal<\/span> then<\/span> and<\/span> we<\/span> had<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> male<\/span> readers<\/span> and<\/span> authors<\/span> who<\/span> didn't<\/span> like<\/span> it.<\/span> So<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> my<\/span> grounding<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> more<\/span> jargon<\/span> I<\/span> edited<\/span> because<\/span> most<\/span> of<\/span> these<\/span> books<\/span> were<\/span> written<\/span> by<\/span> ...<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> them<\/span> were<\/span> by<\/span> lawyers,<\/span> the<\/span> more<\/span> outspoken<\/span> I<\/span> became<\/span> about<\/span> accessible<\/span> language<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> got<\/span> angry.<\/span> Why<\/span> should<\/span> I,<\/span> why<\/span> should<\/span> anyone<\/span> reading<\/span> these<\/span> books,<\/span> why<\/span> should<\/span> anyone<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> anything<\/span> in<\/span> life,<\/span> feel<\/span> intimidated<\/span> by<\/span> being<\/span> asked<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> something<\/span> that's<\/span> just<\/span> a<\/span> normal<\/span> process<\/span> or<\/span> something<\/span> they're<\/span> expected<\/span> to<\/span> do?<\/span> And<\/span> we're<\/span> the<\/span> average<\/span> person<\/span> and<\/span> why<\/span> should<\/span> I,<\/span> you,<\/span> we<\/span> be<\/span> afraid<\/span> to<\/span> ask<\/span> professionals<\/span> for<\/span> more<\/span> information<\/span> because<\/span> we're<\/span> afraid<\/span> they'll<\/span> make<\/span> us<\/span> feel<\/span> dumb?<\/span> Now<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> dumb<\/span> is<\/span> not<\/span> a<\/span> word<\/span> we<\/span> should<\/span> even<\/span> be<\/span> using<\/span> anymore,<\/span> but<\/span> I'm<\/span> talking<\/span> about<\/span> how<\/span> we<\/span> are<\/span> made<\/span> to<\/span> feel<\/span> sometimes<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> this<\/span> intimidating<\/span> process<\/span> and<\/span> I'm<\/span> sure<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> felt<\/span> the<\/span> same<\/span> from<\/span> time<\/span> to<\/span> time.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Maybe<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> were<\/span> completing<\/span> your<\/span> income<\/span> tax<\/span> form<\/span> and<\/span> tried<\/span> to<\/span> look<\/span> something<\/span> up,<\/span> the<\/span> understanding,<\/span> maybe<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> were<\/span> filling<\/span> out<\/span> a<\/span> government<\/span> form,<\/span> maybe<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> were<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> put<\/span> together<\/span> the<\/span> bed<\/span> from<\/span> Ikea<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> just<\/span> bought.<\/span> I<\/span> suspect<\/span> that<\/span> most<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> felt<\/span> that<\/span> helpless,<\/span> discouraged,<\/span> and<\/span> sometimes<\/span> dumb<\/span> and<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> aims<\/span> to<\/span> eliminate<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> that.<\/span> At<\/span> worst<\/span> or<\/span> worse<\/span> than<\/span> any<\/span> of<\/span> putting<\/span> together<\/span> the<\/span> Ikea<\/span> bunk<\/span> bed<\/span> and<\/span> having<\/span> the<\/span> top<\/span> fall<\/span> down<\/span> first<\/span> night<\/span> is<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> suffer<\/span> life<\/span> altering<\/span> negative<\/span> effects<\/span> from<\/span> not<\/span> understanding.<\/span> And<\/span> obviously<\/span> here,<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> what<\/span> you're<\/span> talking<\/span> about.<\/span> If<\/span> your<\/span> procedures<\/span> for<\/span> responding<\/span> to<\/span> sexualized<\/span> violence<\/span> aren't<\/span> clear,<\/span> aren't<\/span> accessible,<\/span> aren't<\/span> easy,<\/span> people<\/span> won't<\/span> report.<\/span> And<\/span> you<\/span> all<\/span> know<\/span> this<\/span> better<\/span> than<\/span> I<\/span> in<\/span> that<\/span> particular,<\/span> but<\/span> there's<\/span> other<\/span> things.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: There's<\/span> loss<\/span> of<\/span> funds.<\/span> If<\/span> a<\/span> student<\/span> doesn't<\/span> understand<\/span> how<\/span> to<\/span> fill<\/span> out<\/span> the<\/span> form<\/span> for<\/span> accessing<\/span> funds.<\/span> There<\/span> are<\/span> myriad<\/span> examples<\/span> we<\/span> can<\/span> all<\/span> think<\/span> of.<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> show<\/span> you<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> my<\/span> real<\/span> life<\/span> experiences.<\/span> So<\/span> I'm<\/span> a<\/span> little<\/span> older<\/span> than<\/span> most<\/span> of<\/span> you,<\/span> certainly<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> students.<\/span> You<\/span> students<\/span> may<\/span> remember<\/span> this<\/span> when<\/span> your<\/span> parents<\/span> received<\/span> this<\/span> form.<\/span> So<\/span> once<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> a<\/span> child<\/span> who<\/span> turns<\/span> 19,<\/span> MSP<\/span> sends<\/span> you<\/span> this<\/span> for<\/span> parents,<\/span> this<\/span> form<\/span> that<\/span> tells<\/span> you<\/span> that<\/span> if<\/span> they're<\/span> not<\/span> a<\/span> dependent<\/span> anymore,<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> and<\/span> if<\/span> they<\/span> remain<\/span> a<\/span> dependent<\/span> because<\/span> they're<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> school,<\/span> they<\/span> can<\/span> stay<\/span> on<\/span> your<\/span> plan<\/span> and<\/span> blah,<\/span> blah,<\/span> blah,<\/span> blah,<\/span> blah.<\/span> So<\/span> when<\/span> my<\/span> second<\/span> child,<\/span> because<\/span> this<\/span> was<\/span> actually<\/span> an<\/span> improvement<\/span> from<\/span> my<\/span> first<\/span> child,<\/span> turned<\/span> 19<\/span> this<\/span> was<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> paragraph.<\/span> First<\/span> sentence.<\/span> It's<\/span> a<\/span> 41<\/span> word<\/span> sentence<\/span> by<\/span> the<\/span> way,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> count<\/span> ...<\/span> was<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> line<\/span> in<\/span> this<\/span> letter<\/span> that<\/span> said<\/span> nothing<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> top.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Didn't<\/span> have<\/span> a<\/span> title,<\/span> didn't<\/span> say<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> about.<\/span> It<\/span> was<\/span> Dear<\/span> Parent<\/span> Re:<\/span> child's<\/span> name<\/span> and<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> how<\/span> it<\/span> started.<\/span> And<\/span> you<\/span> can't<\/span> even<\/span> know<\/span> what<\/span> it's<\/span> about.<\/span> Not<\/span> even<\/span> close<\/span> until<\/span> that<\/span> comma<\/span> because<\/span> the<\/span> subject's<\/span> not<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> front<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> sentence.<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> know<\/span> if<\/span> they're<\/span> talking<\/span> about<\/span> enrolling<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> next<\/span> yoga<\/span> class.<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> know<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> and<\/span> so<\/span> it<\/span> went<\/span> on<\/span> from<\/span> there.<\/span> It<\/span> just<\/span> got<\/span> worse.<\/span> And<\/span> as<\/span> I<\/span> say,<\/span> this<\/span> truly<\/span> was<\/span> an<\/span> improvement<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> three<\/span> years<\/span> prior<\/span> with<\/span> my<\/span> first<\/span> child,<\/span> the<\/span> second<\/span> child<\/span> this<\/span> was,<\/span> when<\/span> at<\/span> least<\/span> this<\/span> time,<\/span> a<\/span> ways<\/span> down<\/span> they<\/span> tried<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> some<\/span> headings.<\/span> And<\/span> they<\/span> had<\/span> a<\/span> bullet<\/span> list.<\/span> I'm<\/span> an<\/span> engaged<\/span> reader.<\/span> I'm<\/span> a<\/span> willing<\/span> reader.<\/span> Obviously<\/span> I'm<\/span> educated.<\/span> I'm<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> top<\/span> end<\/span> of<\/span> being<\/span> able<\/span> to<\/span> deal<\/span> with<\/span> this<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> stuff.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: I<\/span> don't<\/span> have<\/span> the<\/span> barriers<\/span> that<\/span> many,<\/span> many<\/span> of<\/span> your<\/span> readers<\/span> will<\/span> have.<\/span> The<\/span> way<\/span> I<\/span> had<\/span> to<\/span> solve<\/span> this,<\/span> well<\/span> actually,<\/span> I<\/span> made<\/span> my<\/span> husband<\/span> do<\/span> it,<\/span> but<\/span> he<\/span> got<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> phone<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> so<\/span> angry.<\/span> Got<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> phone<\/span> and<\/span> went<\/span> through<\/span> paragraph<\/span> by<\/span> paragraph<\/span> saying,<\/span> \"What<\/span> does<\/span> this<\/span> mean?<\/span> What<\/span> do<\/span> we<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> do?<\/span> How<\/span> do<\/span> we<\/span> take<\/span> care<\/span> of<\/span> our<\/span> child?\"<\/span> That's<\/span> ridiculous.<\/span> This<\/span> is<\/span> just<\/span> normal<\/span> life.<\/span> Now<\/span> I<\/span> should<\/span> mention<\/span> actually<\/span> the<\/span> BC<\/span> government<\/span> and<\/span> many<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> governments<\/span> have<\/span> done<\/span> ...<\/span> you<\/span> don't<\/span> need<\/span> to<\/span> read<\/span> this,<\/span> but<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> what<\/span> that<\/span> same<\/span> information<\/span> looks<\/span> like<\/span> now.<\/span> It's<\/span> really<\/span> clear.<\/span> There's<\/span> headings,<\/span> there's<\/span> questions.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> tar<\/span> the<\/span> health<\/span> services<\/span> with<\/span> that<\/span> but,<\/span> and<\/span> there's<\/span> been<\/span> huge<\/span> improvements,<\/span> but<\/span> there's<\/span> more<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> made.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Here's<\/span> another<\/span> example<\/span> because<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> simply<\/span> is<\/span> short<\/span> words,<\/span> simple<\/span> sentences.<\/span> Okay,<\/span> here's<\/span> a<\/span> short<\/span> one.<\/span> No<\/span> hard<\/span> words<\/span> to<\/span> understand.<\/span> Short<\/span> sentence,<\/span> tiny<\/span> words.<\/span> Do<\/span> you<\/span> know<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> means?<\/span> Do<\/span> you<\/span> know<\/span> when<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> those<\/span> tablets?<\/span> Here's<\/span> an<\/span> example<\/span> of<\/span> where<\/span> not<\/span> thinking<\/span> of<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> more<\/span> broadly<\/span> and<\/span> deeply<\/span> could<\/span> harm<\/span> you<\/span> physically.<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> know<\/span> if<\/span> I'm<\/span> supposed<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> three<\/span> tablets<\/span> all<\/span> at<\/span> once<\/span> or<\/span> spread<\/span> through<\/span> the<\/span> day<\/span> and<\/span> when.<\/span> So<\/span> these<\/span> are<\/span> just<\/span> some<\/span> quick<\/span> examples<\/span> of<\/span> real<\/span> life<\/span> experience.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: The<\/span> type's<\/span> large,<\/span> could<\/span> say<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> good<\/span> about<\/span> it.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> why<\/span> all<\/span> this<\/span> matters<\/span> to<\/span> me.<\/span> Okay?<\/span> That's<\/span> where<\/span> my<\/span> passions<\/span> come<\/span> from<\/span> and<\/span> I've<\/span> turned<\/span> that<\/span> into<\/span> helping<\/span> others<\/span> get<\/span> their<\/span> message<\/span> across.<\/span> And<\/span> that's<\/span> why<\/span> I<\/span> believe,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> you<\/span> believe<\/span> why<\/span> it<\/span> should<\/span> be<\/span> important<\/span> to<\/span> you.<\/span> It's<\/span> for<\/span> all<\/span> these<\/span> same<\/span> reasons.<\/span> You<\/span> too<\/span> obviously<\/span> have<\/span> a<\/span> vested<\/span> interest<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> same<\/span> kinds<\/span> of<\/span> issues<\/span> and<\/span> today<\/span> and<\/span> through<\/span> this<\/span> forum<\/span> and<\/span> in<\/span> your<\/span> work,<\/span> this<\/span> particular<\/span> issue<\/span> of<\/span> working<\/span> with<\/span> victims<\/span> of<\/span> sexualized<\/span> violence<\/span> and<\/span> making<\/span> sure<\/span> your<\/span> policies<\/span> and<\/span> procedures<\/span> are<\/span> clear<\/span> and<\/span> understandable.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: And<\/span> I<\/span> always<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> say,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> believe<\/span> this<\/span> passionately,<\/span> this<\/span> comes<\/span> down<\/span> to<\/span> one<\/span> word<\/span> and<\/span> it's<\/span> respect.<\/span> It's<\/span> respect<\/span> for<\/span> your<\/span> reader.<\/span> In<\/span> your<\/span> case,<\/span> your<\/span> readers<\/span> if<\/span> they're<\/span> the<\/span> victims<\/span> or<\/span> the<\/span> people<\/span> who<\/span> are<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> help<\/span> them.<\/span> But<\/span> it's<\/span> respect<\/span> in<\/span> all<\/span> aspects<\/span> of<\/span> life.<\/span> If<\/span> we're<\/span> asked<\/span> to<\/span> understand<\/span> information,<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> understandable.<\/span> Don't<\/span> build<\/span> walls.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> why<\/span> it's<\/span> important.<\/span> So<\/span> quickly<\/span> what<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is.<\/span> Well,<\/span> quite<\/span> simply<\/span> quite<\/span> plainly,<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> means<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> is<\/span> understandable.<\/span> That's<\/span> it.<\/span> So<\/span> you<\/span> might<\/span> respond<\/span> to<\/span> that.<\/span> Well<\/span> I've<\/span> read<\/span> my<\/span> university<\/span> policy<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> understand<\/span> it<\/span> or<\/span> so<\/span> won't<\/span> others<\/span> too.<\/span> Well<\/span> why<\/span> do<\/span> you<\/span> understand<\/span> it?<\/span> How<\/span> do<\/span> you<\/span> understand<\/span> it?<\/span> Who's<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> reading<\/span> it?<\/span> Can<\/span> your<\/span> readers,<\/span> to<\/span> define<\/span> what<\/span> that<\/span> means,<\/span> information<\/span> is<\/span> understandable.<\/span> Can<\/span> you<\/span> readers<\/span> find<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> need?<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: If<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> back,<\/span> when<\/span> I<\/span> read<\/span> that,<\/span> can<\/span> I<\/span> find<\/span> what<\/span> I<\/span> need?<\/span> No,<\/span> I<\/span> actually<\/span> wasn't<\/span> sure<\/span> what<\/span> I<\/span> needed<\/span> when<\/span> I<\/span> started<\/span> reading<\/span> it<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> didn't<\/span> know<\/span> what<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> about.<\/span> So<\/span> find<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> need,<\/span> understand<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> find?<\/span> No.<\/span> We're<\/span> at<\/span> strike<\/span> two<\/span> here<\/span> with<\/span> this<\/span> one<\/span> and<\/span> act<\/span> appropriately<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> information.<\/span> Well<\/span> they<\/span> didn't<\/span> expect<\/span> that<\/span> appropriate<\/span> action<\/span> was<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> another<\/span> phone<\/span> call<\/span> that<\/span> took<\/span> some<\/span> poor<\/span> sod's<\/span> time<\/span> and<\/span> my<\/span> time<\/span> and<\/span> costs<\/span> more<\/span> money<\/span> and<\/span> et<\/span> cetera.<\/span> So<\/span> understandable.<\/span> Find<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> need,<\/span> understand<\/span> what<\/span> they<\/span> find,<\/span> and<\/span> act<\/span> appropriately.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> in<\/span> short,<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is<\/span> an<\/span> approach<\/span> to<\/span> communication<\/span> and<\/span> where<\/span> does<\/span> that<\/span> begin?<\/span> With<\/span> the<\/span> needs<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> reader.<\/span> This<\/span> is<\/span> the<\/span> key<\/span> point.<\/span> It's<\/span> the<\/span> needs<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> reader.<\/span> So<\/span> how<\/span> do<\/span> you<\/span> do<\/span> that?<\/span> How<\/span> do<\/span> you<\/span> apply<\/span> such<\/span> an<\/span> approach<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> documents<\/span> you<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> create<\/span> on<\/span> sexualized<\/span> procedures<\/span> and<\/span> process<\/span> and<\/span> your<\/span> action<\/span> plans?<\/span> So<\/span> as<\/span> I<\/span> said,<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> send<\/span> you<\/span> away<\/span> with<\/span> three<\/span> principles<\/span> on<\/span> that<\/span> for<\/span> today's<\/span> takeaway.<\/span> We've<\/span> already<\/span> mentioned<\/span> this.<\/span> I<\/span> can't<\/span> stop<\/span> saying<\/span> this.<\/span> Put<\/span> the<\/span> audience<\/span> first,<\/span> undebatable<\/span> point.<\/span> Put<\/span> the<\/span> audience<\/span> first.<\/span> Place<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> important<\/span> information<\/span> first,<\/span> which<\/span> means<\/span> organizing<\/span> your<\/span> document<\/span> logically.<\/span> You're<\/span> probably<\/span> looking<\/span> at<\/span> that<\/span> and<\/span> say,<\/span> \"well,<\/span> yeah<\/span> duh\".<\/span> Well,<\/span> that<\/span> doesn't<\/span> always<\/span> happen.<\/span> And<\/span> use<\/span> plain<\/span> words.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> now<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> say,<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> talk<\/span> about<\/span> a<\/span> few<\/span> examples<\/span> and<\/span> show<\/span> you<\/span> a<\/span> few<\/span> examples<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> province,<\/span> from<\/span> your<\/span> institutions.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: When<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> asked<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> this,<\/span> we<\/span> talked<\/span> about<\/span> approach<\/span> and<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> suggested<\/span> to<\/span> me<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> just<\/span> get<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> internet<\/span> and<\/span> Google,<\/span> just<\/span> pick<\/span> out<\/span> randomly<\/span> different<\/span> institutions<\/span> to<\/span> see<\/span> what<\/span> I<\/span> could<\/span> find<\/span> to<\/span> give<\/span> me<\/span> a<\/span> picture<\/span> of<\/span> where<\/span> you're<\/span> all<\/span> at.<\/span> And<\/span> that's<\/span> what<\/span> I<\/span> did.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> decided,<\/span> well,<\/span> let's<\/span> see<\/span> how<\/span> accessible<\/span> everything<\/span> is.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> did<\/span> just<\/span> really<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> basic<\/span> Google<\/span> like<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> know<\/span> anything.<\/span> So,<\/span> University<\/span> X,<\/span> sexualized<\/span> violence<\/span> processes,<\/span> College<\/span> Y<\/span> sexualized<\/span> violence<\/span> processes.<\/span> And<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> really<\/span> interesting<\/span> exercise.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> say,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> recognize<\/span> your<\/span> institution<\/span> in<\/span> anything<\/span> I'm<\/span> about<\/span> to<\/span> say<\/span> or<\/span> show,<\/span> please<\/span> understand,<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> in<\/span> no<\/span> way<\/span> meant<\/span> to<\/span> judge<\/span> or<\/span> compare<\/span> or<\/span> tell<\/span> you<\/span> who<\/span> wins<\/span> the<\/span> gold<\/span> medal<\/span> and<\/span> doesn't.<\/span> I'm<\/span> here<\/span> to<\/span> help<\/span> you.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: And<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> this.<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> from<\/span> my<\/span> own<\/span> experience<\/span> of<\/span> working,<\/span> writing<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> teaching<\/span> about<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> editing<\/span> for<\/span> plain<\/span> language,<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> how<\/span> difficult<\/span> this<\/span> can<\/span> be.<\/span> And<\/span> it's<\/span> especially<\/span> difficult<\/span> when<\/span> you're<\/span> having<\/span> to<\/span> start<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> policy<\/span> document<\/span> that<\/span> usually<\/span> isn't<\/span> written<\/span> as<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> for<\/span> many<\/span> reasons.<\/span> And<\/span> some<\/span> of<\/span> them<\/span> valid<\/span> for<\/span> policy,<\/span> but<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> them<\/span> is<\/span> that<\/span> perhaps<\/span> your<\/span> policies<\/span> have<\/span> had<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> worked<\/span> into<\/span> a<\/span> template<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> university's<\/span> policies<\/span> or<\/span> the<\/span> legal<\/span> department<\/span> tells<\/span> you<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> have<\/span> certain<\/span> things.<\/span> I<\/span> understand<\/span> that.<\/span> And<\/span> those<\/span> are<\/span> other<\/span> issues<\/span> that<\/span> we<\/span> can't<\/span> get<\/span> in<\/span> today,<\/span> and<\/span> they<\/span> certainly<\/span> can't<\/span> be<\/span> resolved<\/span> today,<\/span> but<\/span> that<\/span> doesn't<\/span> mean<\/span> that<\/span> all<\/span> your<\/span> other<\/span> documents<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> that<\/span> way.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> really<\/span> appreciate<\/span> that<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> an<\/span> ongoing<\/span> process<\/span> and<\/span> that<\/span> everybody's<\/span> at<\/span> a<\/span> different<\/span> level.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> as<\/span> I<\/span> say,<\/span> there's<\/span> no<\/span> judgment<\/span> here.<\/span> So<\/span> let's<\/span> talk<\/span> about<\/span> first<\/span> principle<\/span> number<\/span> one,<\/span> put<\/span> the<\/span> audience<\/span> first<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> does<\/span> that<\/span> mean?<\/span> So<\/span> the<\/span> way<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> this,<\/span> when<\/span> you're<\/span> thinking<\/span> about<\/span> your<\/span> own<\/span> processes,<\/span> policies,<\/span> procedures,<\/span> action<\/span> plans,<\/span> is<\/span> to<\/span> really<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> being<\/span> in<\/span> your<\/span> reader's<\/span> shoes.<\/span> Okay?<\/span> Because<\/span> you<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> writing<\/span> to<\/span> them<\/span> and<\/span> for<\/span> them<\/span> and<\/span> not<\/span> from<\/span> you.<\/span> And<\/span> what<\/span> that<\/span> means<\/span> with<\/span> big<\/span> institutions<\/span> is,<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> they're<\/span> often<\/span> fall<\/span> down<\/span> in<\/span> is<\/span> they<\/span> take<\/span> time<\/span> writing<\/span> plainly<\/span> why<\/span> the<\/span> policy<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> written,<\/span> where<\/span> it<\/span> came<\/span> from,<\/span> why<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> mandated.<\/span> The<\/span> readers<\/span> don't<\/span> care.<\/span> They<\/span> really<\/span> don't<\/span> care.<\/span> That's<\/span> not<\/span> writing<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> reader.<\/span> You've<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> say,<\/span> \"What<\/span> does<\/span> the<\/span> reader<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> know?\"<\/span> Okay.<\/span> And<\/span> it's<\/span> a<\/span> mistake,<\/span> that's<\/span> often<\/span> made.<\/span> And<\/span> again,<\/span> I<\/span> think,<\/span> it's<\/span> more<\/span> difficult<\/span> in<\/span> larger<\/span> organizations,<\/span> and<\/span> I've<\/span> seen<\/span> this<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> corporate<\/span> world<\/span> as<\/span> well.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> when<\/span> I<\/span> nosed<\/span> around<\/span> several<\/span> of<\/span> your<\/span> websites,<\/span> I<\/span> could<\/span> see<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> can<\/span> hear<\/span> from<\/span> what<\/span> you're<\/span> talking<\/span> about<\/span> today<\/span> that<\/span> for<\/span> your<\/span> procedures,<\/span> for<\/span> your<\/span> process,<\/span> for<\/span> your<\/span> action<\/span> plans,<\/span> I<\/span> really<\/span> see<\/span> two<\/span> separate<\/span> audiences.<\/span> You've<\/span> got<\/span> documents<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> are<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> preparing<\/span> I<\/span> imagine<\/span> for<\/span> those<\/span> people<\/span> who<\/span> are<\/span> responding<\/span> to<\/span> reports<\/span> or<\/span> incidents<\/span> of<\/span> sexualized<\/span> violence<\/span> and<\/span> then<\/span> you've<\/span> got<\/span> the<\/span> people<\/span> who<\/span> are<\/span> reporting<\/span> them,<\/span> whether<\/span> those<\/span> be<\/span> the<\/span> victims<\/span> or<\/span> peers<\/span> or<\/span> support<\/span> workers.<\/span> And<\/span> so<\/span> very<\/span> often<\/span> you're<\/span> not<\/span> talking<\/span> about<\/span> one<\/span> document<\/span> and<\/span> that's<\/span> often<\/span> a<\/span> mistake<\/span> that's<\/span> made<\/span> too.<\/span> Lisa,<\/span> you<\/span> showed<\/span> those<\/span> pages<\/span> you'd<\/span> done<\/span> for<\/span> police<\/span> and<\/span> yeah,<\/span> that's<\/span> excellent.<\/span> They've<\/span> carved<\/span> out<\/span> on<\/span> one<\/span> topic<\/span> different<\/span> audiences<\/span> for<\/span> different<\/span> needs.<\/span> And<\/span> so<\/span> sometimes<\/span> when<\/span> organizations<\/span> are<\/span> starting<\/span> to<\/span> develop<\/span> procedures,<\/span> they<\/span> forget<\/span> that<\/span> and<\/span> they<\/span> think<\/span> they're<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> all<\/span> in<\/span> one.<\/span> So<\/span> it<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> long<\/span> process<\/span> because<\/span> you've<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> carve<\/span> out<\/span> those<\/span> audiences.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: In<\/span> short,<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> these<\/span> documents,<\/span> again<\/span> try<\/span> to<\/span> put<\/span> yourself<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> reader's<\/span> shoes<\/span> and<\/span> answer<\/span> their<\/span> questions.<\/span> What<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> do<\/span> to<\/span> solve<\/span> my<\/span> problem?<\/span> Where<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> go?<\/span> Where<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> get<\/span> more<\/span> help?<\/span> Do<\/span> I<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> tell<\/span> the<\/span> police?<\/span> Not<\/span> we<\/span> wrote<\/span> this<\/span> procedure<\/span> from<\/span> our<\/span> point<\/span> of<\/span> view.<\/span> And<\/span> for<\/span> this<\/span> topic,<\/span> of<\/span> course,<\/span> you're<\/span> actually<\/span> fortunate<\/span> in<\/span> a<\/span> way<\/span> because<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> some<\/span> idea<\/span> of<\/span> your<\/span> demographics,<\/span> age,<\/span> who's<\/span> on<\/span> campus,<\/span> et<\/span> cetera.<\/span> Plain<\/span> language<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> more<\/span> challenging<\/span> when<\/span> the<\/span> audience<\/span> is<\/span> the<\/span> general<\/span> public.<\/span> I<\/span> mean,<\/span> what<\/span> does<\/span> that<\/span> even<\/span> mean?<\/span> At<\/span> least<\/span> you've<\/span> carved<\/span> out<\/span> some<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> demographics,<\/span> but<\/span> be<\/span> that<\/span> reader.<\/span> To<\/span> back<\/span> up<\/span> before<\/span> we<\/span> get<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> actual<\/span> writing<\/span> a<\/span> part<\/span> of<\/span> it<\/span> too.<\/span> When<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> looking<\/span> for<\/span> these<\/span> documents<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> each<\/span> university<\/span> and<\/span> college<\/span> had<\/span> had,<\/span> you've<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> accessibility<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> macro<\/span> level<\/span> too,<\/span> of<\/span> even<\/span> just<\/span> finding<\/span> them.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Okay.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> found<\/span> one<\/span> institution<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> policy<\/span> and<\/span> processes<\/span> were<\/span> mushed<\/span> into<\/span> one<\/span> document.<\/span> So<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> hard<\/span> to<\/span> pull<\/span> out.<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> pretending<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> Reader<\/span> A<\/span> and<\/span> Reader<\/span> B,<\/span> and<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> just<\/span> all<\/span> over<\/span> the<\/span> place.<\/span> I<\/span> found<\/span> one<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> broken<\/span> link.<\/span> I<\/span> tried<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> around<\/span> it<\/span> from<\/span> several<\/span> other<\/span> ways,<\/span> just<\/span> could<\/span> not<\/span> get<\/span> there,<\/span> not<\/span> available.<\/span> So,<\/span> okay,<\/span> so<\/span> now<\/span> I'm<\/span> being<\/span> the<\/span> reader.<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> find<\/span> out<\/span> how<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> report<\/span> that<\/span> I've<\/span> been<\/span> sexually<\/span> violated.<\/span> I<\/span> can't<\/span> get<\/span> there.<\/span> So<\/span> what<\/span> am<\/span> I<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> do?<\/span> I<\/span> stop.<\/span> That's<\/span> it.<\/span> I<\/span> walk<\/span> away.<\/span> I'm<\/span> gone.<\/span> You<\/span> don't<\/span> have<\/span> much<\/span> time<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> their<\/span> attention<\/span> especially<\/span> if<\/span> they<\/span> are<\/span> the<\/span> victims.<\/span> They've,<\/span> Lisa<\/span> and<\/span> Anna<\/span> talked<\/span> about<\/span> this.<\/span> Their<\/span> emotional<\/span> state<\/span> is<\/span> like<\/span> a<\/span> wall<\/span> and<\/span> for<\/span> plain<\/span> language,<\/span> you've<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> readability<\/span> levels<\/span> and<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> that<\/span> but<\/span> you've<\/span> also<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> think<\/span> of<\/span> emotional<\/span> state.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> if<\/span> they<\/span> can't<\/span> get<\/span> to<\/span> it<\/span> fast<\/span> and<\/span> understand<\/span> it<\/span> fast,<\/span> you've<\/span> lost<\/span> them.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> again,<\/span> that's<\/span> a<\/span> large<\/span> price<\/span> to<\/span> pay.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> would<\/span> say<\/span> if<\/span> each<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> would<\/span> go<\/span> back<\/span> to<\/span> your<\/span> institutions<\/span> and<\/span> do<\/span> what<\/span> I<\/span> did,<\/span> try<\/span> to<\/span> Google<\/span> your<\/span> documents<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> outsider<\/span> and<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> run<\/span> into<\/span> any<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> problems,<\/span> that's<\/span> something<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> your<\/span> tech<\/span> team<\/span> to<\/span> address<\/span> right<\/span> away.<\/span> Fix<\/span> the<\/span> broken<\/span> link<\/span> or<\/span> escalate<\/span> your<\/span> keyword<\/span> searches<\/span> or<\/span> whatever<\/span> that<\/span> takes.<\/span> I'm<\/span> not<\/span> an<\/span> expert<\/span> on<\/span> that.<\/span> I<\/span> would<\/span> just<\/span> know<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> needed<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> it<\/span> done.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: You<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> place<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> important<\/span> information<\/span> first.<\/span> So<\/span> let's<\/span> look<\/span> at<\/span> an<\/span> exert<\/span> of<\/span> one<\/span> document<\/span> I<\/span> found,<\/span> which<\/span> is<\/span> highly<\/span> truncated.<\/span> This<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> response<\/span> procedure<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> see<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> the<\/span> title<\/span> and<\/span> right<\/span> underneath<\/span> was<\/span> an<\/span> opening<\/span> paragraph<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> see<\/span> that<\/span> there<\/span> was<\/span> an<\/span> attempt<\/span> to<\/span> talk<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> reader<\/span> with<\/span> the,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> need<\/span> support<\/span> or<\/span> assistance<\/span> please<\/span> go<\/span> to.<\/span> Okay.<\/span> But<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> tucked<\/span> under<\/span> a<\/span> general<\/span> statement<\/span> statement<\/span> about<\/span> these<\/span> procedures<\/span> being<\/span> enacted<\/span> under<\/span> a<\/span> policy.<\/span> Again,<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> care.<\/span> You<\/span> care.<\/span> If<\/span> I'm<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> other<\/span> side,<\/span> I<\/span> care.<\/span> I've<\/span> got<\/span> it<\/span> because,<\/span> and<\/span> there's<\/span> reason<\/span> to<\/span> put<\/span> all<\/span> this<\/span> information.<\/span> Someone<\/span> didn't<\/span> just<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> up<\/span> on<\/span> a<\/span> weekend<\/span> and<\/span> post<\/span> it<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> website,<\/span> but<\/span> looking<\/span> for<\/span> your<\/span> process.<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> care.<\/span> I<\/span> care<\/span> that<\/span> it's<\/span> there.<\/span> And<\/span> then<\/span> the<\/span> next,<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> section<\/span> was<\/span> the<\/span> disclaimer,<\/span> but<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> things<\/span> that<\/span> wouldn't<\/span> happen.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: The<\/span> next<\/span> one<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> statement<\/span> on<\/span> concurrent<\/span> process.<\/span> The<\/span> next<\/span> one<\/span> was<\/span> scope.<\/span> I<\/span> had<\/span> to<\/span> turn,<\/span> I<\/span> can't<\/span> remember<\/span> if<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> the<\/span> bottom<\/span> of<\/span> page<\/span> two<\/span> or<\/span> three<\/span> before<\/span> I<\/span> got<\/span> close<\/span> to<\/span> what<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> do?<\/span> I'm<\/span> gone.<\/span> I'm<\/span> gone.<\/span> Reader's<\/span> gone.<\/span> No<\/span> help.<\/span> And<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> did<\/span> nothing<\/span> else,<\/span> but<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> the<\/span> reader<\/span> on<\/span> this<\/span> and<\/span> put<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> important,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> turned<\/span> it<\/span> on<\/span> his<\/span> head,<\/span> I'm<\/span> not<\/span> saying<\/span> that<\/span> disclaimer<\/span> doesn't<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> there.<\/span> Put<\/span> it<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> end.<\/span> If<\/span> you<\/span> just<\/span> turn<\/span> that<\/span> whole<\/span> thing<\/span> on<\/span> its<\/span> head<\/span> and<\/span> put<\/span> the<\/span> information<\/span> about<\/span> where<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> for<\/span> help<\/span> first,<\/span> that<\/span> by<\/span> itself<\/span> would<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> huge<\/span> step.<\/span> So<\/span> that<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> done<\/span> quickly.<\/span> That<\/span> could<\/span> be<\/span> done<\/span> tomorrow<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> back<\/span> and,<\/span> well<\/span> I<\/span> suppose<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> have<\/span> permission<\/span> but,<\/span> just<\/span> turn<\/span> it<\/span> around.<\/span> That's<\/span> your<\/span> problem.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: So<\/span> the<\/span> problem<\/span> was<\/span> here<\/span> they<\/span> mixed<\/span> up<\/span> the<\/span> audiences,<\/span> right?<\/span> Because<\/span> they're<\/span> sort<\/span> of<\/span> talking<\/span> about<\/span> someone<\/span> who<\/span> might<\/span> need<\/span> support,<\/span> but<\/span> maybe<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> also<\/span> about<\/span> somebody<\/span> who<\/span> is<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> help<\/span> somebody<\/span> else.<\/span> That<\/span> message<\/span> has<\/span> helped.<\/span> I<\/span> read<\/span> this<\/span> like<\/span> they're<\/span> talking<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> policy<\/span> makers<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> bureaucrats<\/span> not<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> person<\/span> who<\/span> needs<\/span> help.<\/span> Just<\/span> say,<\/span> \"We<\/span> did<\/span> this.\"<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> that<\/span> wasn't<\/span> the<\/span> intent.<\/span> Again,<\/span> I<\/span> go<\/span> back<\/span> to,<\/span> I<\/span> have<\/span> huge<\/span> respect<\/span> for<\/span> every<\/span> step<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> tried<\/span> to<\/span> take,<\/span> but<\/span> these<\/span> are<\/span> ways<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> improve<\/span> upon<\/span> them.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: I<\/span> found<\/span> this<\/span> one<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> can't<\/span> read<\/span> it<\/span> very<\/span> well<\/span> but,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> did<\/span> the<\/span> highlight,<\/span> but<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> see<\/span> right<\/span> away,<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> just<\/span> a<\/span> poster<\/span> and<\/span> right<\/span> up<\/span> top<\/span> sexual<\/span> assault<\/span> assisting<\/span> survivors,<\/span> a<\/span> resource<\/span> for<\/span> students<\/span> and<\/span> staff.<\/span> That's<\/span> me.<\/span> I'm<\/span> reading.<\/span> Right?<\/span> I'm<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> learn<\/span> what<\/span> I'm<\/span> supposed<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> to<\/span> respond<\/span> to<\/span> people<\/span> and<\/span> then<\/span> nice<\/span> bright<\/span> colors.<\/span> And<\/span> then<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> can't<\/span> read<\/span> them,<\/span> those<\/span> two<\/span> heads<\/span> are<\/span> what<\/span> is<\/span> sexual<\/span> assault<\/span> and<\/span> how<\/span> to<\/span> assist<\/span> and<\/span> then<\/span> bang,<\/span> bang,<\/span> call<\/span> this,<\/span> do<\/span> this,<\/span> do<\/span> this,<\/span> more<\/span> help<\/span> here.<\/span> One<\/span> page.<\/span> I'm<\/span> with<\/span> you<\/span> and<\/span> where<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> more<\/span> information.<\/span> So<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> dig<\/span> into<\/span> some<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> other<\/span> longer<\/span> documents.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> thought<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> very<\/span> good<\/span> effort.<\/span> It's<\/span> clear<\/span> what<\/span> the<\/span> document<\/span> is<\/span> for,<\/span> who<\/span> it's<\/span> for,<\/span> and<\/span> what's<\/span> in<\/span> it.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Okay.<\/span> Principle<\/span> three,<\/span> use<\/span> plain<\/span> words.<\/span> Again,<\/span> this<\/span> could<\/span> be<\/span> a<\/span> two<\/span> day<\/span> workshop.<\/span> I<\/span> find<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> ironies<\/span> that<\/span> come<\/span> out<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> mouths<\/span> of<\/span> critics<\/span> of<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> they<\/span> still<\/span> are<\/span> out<\/span> there<\/span> even<\/span> after<\/span> ...<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> actually<\/span> comparing<\/span> notes,<\/span> [inaudible 00:23:26]<\/span> are<\/span> exactly<\/span> the<\/span> same<\/span> number<\/span> of<\/span> years<\/span> and<\/span> when<\/span> we<\/span> were<\/span> asked<\/span> if<\/span> we<\/span> remembered<\/span> the<\/span> little<\/span> Walkmans<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> saying,<\/span> \"I<\/span> remember<\/span> eight<\/span> track.\"<\/span> So<\/span> I've<\/span> been<\/span> doing<\/span> this<\/span> for<\/span> awhile,<\/span> but<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> ironies<\/span> I've<\/span> heard<\/span> over<\/span> the<\/span> years,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> still<\/span> hear<\/span> it,<\/span> that<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> is<\/span> just<\/span> dumbing<\/span> down<\/span> the<\/span> language.<\/span> It's<\/span> Dick<\/span> and<\/span> Jane<\/span> language.<\/span> People<\/span> are<\/span> smarter<\/span> than<\/span> that.<\/span> They're<\/span> intelligent.<\/span> Well,<\/span> yes,<\/span> but<\/span> it's<\/span> because<\/span> they're<\/span> intelligent<\/span> that<\/span> we<\/span> do<\/span> this<\/span> because<\/span> we<\/span> respect<\/span> their<\/span> time<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> the<\/span> information<\/span> they<\/span> need<\/span> to<\/span> do.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: There's<\/span> really<\/span> nothing<\/span> further<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> truth<\/span> because<\/span> think<\/span> again,<\/span> when<\/span> do<\/span> you<\/span> feel<\/span> dumb?<\/span> Again,<\/span> a<\/span> word<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> use,<\/span> but<\/span> it's,<\/span> when<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> feel<\/span> dumb?<\/span> When<\/span> I<\/span> can't<\/span> understand<\/span> something<\/span> that<\/span> I'm<\/span> supposed<\/span> to<\/span> understand?<\/span> I'm<\/span> sitting<\/span> there,<\/span> \"Why<\/span> don't<\/span> I<\/span> understand<\/span> this?<\/span> I<\/span> should<\/span> be<\/span> able<\/span> to<\/span> understand<\/span> this.\"<\/span> Plain<\/span> language,<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> true,<\/span> strips<\/span> texts<\/span> out<\/span> of<\/span> complexity.<\/span> It<\/span> is<\/span> not<\/span> true<\/span> that<\/span> it<\/span> loses<\/span> style<\/span> that<\/span> it<\/span> strips<\/span> it<\/span> of<\/span> style.<\/span> It<\/span> engages<\/span> the<\/span> reader<\/span> because<\/span> the<\/span> style<\/span> is<\/span> clarity.<\/span> So<\/span> quickly<\/span> in<\/span> using<\/span> plain<\/span> words.<\/span> Avoid<\/span> jargon.<\/span> If<\/span> you're<\/span> in<\/span> universities<\/span> anywhere,<\/span> I've<\/span> worked<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> doctors,<\/span> I've<\/span> edited<\/span> engineers.<\/span> Their<\/span> life<\/span> is<\/span> full<\/span> of<\/span> jargon.<\/span> That's<\/span> not<\/span> unusual<\/span> and<\/span> if<\/span> you're<\/span> writing<\/span> for<\/span> a<\/span> doctor<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> doctor,<\/span> an<\/span> engineer<\/span> to<\/span> an<\/span> engineer,<\/span> jargon's<\/span> fine.<\/span> That's<\/span> their<\/span> shorthand,<\/span> but<\/span> that's<\/span> the<\/span> only<\/span> time<\/span> it<\/span> really<\/span> should<\/span> be<\/span> acceptable<\/span> and<\/span> always<\/span> short<\/span> is<\/span> better<\/span> than<\/span> long.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: You<\/span> saw<\/span> that<\/span> long<\/span> sentence<\/span> of<\/span> 41<\/span> words.<\/span> I<\/span> always<\/span> think<\/span> when<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> university<\/span> student,<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> wrote<\/span> your<\/span> essay<\/span> and<\/span> it<\/span> was<\/span> supposed<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> X<\/span> number<\/span> of<\/span> words<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> figured<\/span> out<\/span> how<\/span> many<\/span> words<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> end<\/span> and<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> before<\/span> you<\/span> could<\/span> do<\/span> a<\/span> click<\/span> of<\/span> a<\/span> button<\/span> to<\/span> count<\/span> your<\/span> words<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> figured<\/span> out<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> thought,<\/span> \"Damn,<\/span> I'm<\/span> 50<\/span> words<\/span> short.\"<\/span> So<\/span> you<\/span> do<\/span> things<\/span> like<\/span> say<\/span> instead<\/span> of<\/span> now<\/span> you<\/span> put<\/span> at<\/span> this<\/span> point<\/span> in<\/span> time.<\/span> You<\/span> all<\/span> know<\/span> those<\/span> tricks,<\/span> right?<\/span> Okay,<\/span> now<\/span> you've<\/span> got<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> them<\/span> all<\/span> out<\/span> of<\/span> your<\/span> life.<\/span> No<\/span> professor<\/span> is<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> tell<\/span> you<\/span> the<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> document<\/span> was<\/span> too<\/span> short.<\/span> You<\/span> get<\/span> to<\/span> not<\/span> worry<\/span> about<\/span> that<\/span> anymore<\/span> and<\/span> you<\/span> watch<\/span> out<\/span> for<\/span> these<\/span> things<\/span> that<\/span> just<\/span> become<\/span> lazy<\/span> language.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: There<\/span> are<\/span> various<\/span> different<\/span> options<\/span> available<\/span> to<\/span> you.<\/span> Various<\/span> different,<\/span> okay,<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> three<\/span> choices.<\/span> So<\/span> these<\/span> are<\/span> all<\/span> little<\/span> things.<\/span> So<\/span> avoid<\/span> anything<\/span> long.<\/span> Avoid<\/span> long<\/span> paragraphs,<\/span> avoid<\/span> long<\/span> documents,<\/span> avoid<\/span> long<\/span> sentences,<\/span> avoid<\/span> long<\/span> words.<\/span> Just<\/span> avoid<\/span> long.<\/span> Use<\/span> lists.<\/span> We<\/span> live<\/span> in<\/span> a<\/span> world<\/span> of<\/span> decreasing<\/span> attention<\/span> span<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> our<\/span> ...<\/span> Right?<\/span> And<\/span> of<\/span> course<\/span> all<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> your<\/span> documents<\/span> on<\/span> your<\/span> website,<\/span> people<\/span> scan,<\/span> you<\/span> probably<\/span> know<\/span> all<\/span> this,<\/span> people<\/span> scan<\/span> websites.<\/span> So<\/span> lists<\/span> work<\/span> well.<\/span> Our<\/span> eyes<\/span> move<\/span> differently.<\/span> We're<\/span> looking<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> keys<\/span> to<\/span> find<\/span> us<\/span> to<\/span> get<\/span> the<\/span> information<\/span> we<\/span> want.<\/span> So<\/span> use<\/span> headings<\/span> to<\/span> point<\/span> the<\/span> way.<\/span> Use<\/span> active<\/span> voice<\/span> and<\/span> speak<\/span> to,<\/span> write<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> reader.<\/span> You<\/span> can<\/span> get<\/span> help.<\/span> We<\/span> will<\/span> help<\/span> you.<\/span> You<\/span> can<\/span> call<\/span> this<\/span> number.<\/span> That<\/span> humanizes<\/span> your<\/span> reader.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: Also,<\/span> I<\/span> also<\/span> noticed<\/span> on<\/span> a<\/span> few<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> websites,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> didn't<\/span> look<\/span> at<\/span> every<\/span> university<\/span> and<\/span> college,<\/span> but<\/span> several<\/span> have<\/span> alongside<\/span> the<\/span> information,<\/span> short<\/span> videos<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> really<\/span> impressed<\/span> with<\/span> that<\/span> for<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> reasons.<\/span> One,<\/span> because<\/span> it<\/span> increases<\/span> accessibility.<\/span> So<\/span> for<\/span> someone<\/span> who's<\/span> not<\/span> either<\/span> as<\/span> comfortable<\/span> reading<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> words,<\/span> they<\/span> can<\/span> hear<\/span> it,<\/span> they<\/span> can<\/span> see<\/span> it,<\/span> they<\/span> can<\/span> interact<\/span> with<\/span> it.<\/span> If<\/span> they're<\/span> more<\/span> of<\/span> a<\/span> visual<\/span> learner,<\/span> those<\/span> were<\/span> great.<\/span> But<\/span> I<\/span> found<\/span> it<\/span> kind<\/span> of<\/span> comical<\/span> in<\/span> a<\/span> way,<\/span> I<\/span> shouldn't<\/span> use<\/span> the<\/span> word<\/span> comical<\/span> because<\/span> that<\/span> sounds<\/span> judging,<\/span> and<\/span> I'm<\/span> not<\/span> judging,<\/span> but<\/span> they<\/span> were<\/span> so<\/span> effective.<\/span> Some<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> videos<\/span> were<\/span> better<\/span> than<\/span> the<\/span> words<\/span> because<\/span> the<\/span> videos<\/span> had<\/span> little<\/span> cartoon<\/span> people<\/span> were<\/span> reading<\/span> out<\/span> loud,<\/span> very<\/span> succinct<\/span> messages.<\/span> They<\/span> had<\/span> headings,<\/span> where<\/span> do<\/span> I<\/span> get<\/span> help?<\/span> But<\/span> that<\/span> heading<\/span> wasn't<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> document.<\/span> Who<\/span> should<\/span> I<\/span> call?<\/span> Do<\/span> I<\/span> have<\/span> to<\/span> tell<\/span> the<\/span> police?<\/span> But<\/span> those<\/span> questions<\/span> weren't<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> document.<\/span> So<\/span> that's<\/span> another<\/span> test<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> do.<\/span> Those<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> who<\/span> are<\/span> from<\/span> institutions<\/span> that<\/span> have<\/span> some<\/span> of<\/span> those<\/span> videos,<\/span> go<\/span> look<\/span> at<\/span> those<\/span> documents,<\/span> turn<\/span> them<\/span> into<\/span> the<\/span> text<\/span> if<\/span> they're<\/span> better<\/span> than<\/span> the<\/span> text<\/span> because<\/span> they<\/span> were<\/span> really<\/span> good.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: And<\/span> I<\/span> do<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> finish<\/span> with<\/span> one<\/span> so<\/span> as<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> going<\/span> around,<\/span> I<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> show<\/span> you<\/span> one<\/span> that<\/span> I<\/span> thought<\/span> really<\/span> did<\/span> work<\/span> really<\/span> well,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> actually<\/span> blown<\/span> away<\/span> when<\/span> I<\/span> found<\/span> the<\/span> policy,<\/span> I<\/span> clicked<\/span> on<\/span> it.<\/span> It's<\/span> UBC.<\/span> I<\/span> mean,<\/span> I'm<\/span> speaking<\/span> highly<\/span> of<\/span> it,<\/span> so<\/span> I<\/span> can<\/span> see<\/span> that.<\/span> This<\/span> is<\/span> the<\/span> big<\/span> first<\/span> page<\/span> on<\/span> my<\/span> screen.<\/span> I've<\/span> got<\/span> a<\/span> big<\/span> screen<\/span> on<\/span> my<\/span> desk<\/span> and<\/span> it<\/span> comes<\/span> up.<\/span> We<\/span> believe<\/span> you.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> went,<\/span> \"Whoa,<\/span> Whoa.\"<\/span> What<\/span> a<\/span> great<\/span> message<\/span> in<\/span> this<\/span> time<\/span> of<\/span> Me<\/span> Too.<\/span> The<\/span> first<\/span> thing,<\/span> I<\/span> mean,<\/span> think<\/span> about<\/span> if<\/span> I'm<\/span> coming<\/span> at<\/span> this<\/span> looking<\/span> for<\/span> help<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> thing<\/span> in<\/span> these<\/span> big<\/span> lists<\/span> we<\/span> believe<\/span> you,<\/span> I'm<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> read<\/span> on.<\/span> And<\/span> I<\/span> immediately<\/span> just<\/span> felt,<\/span> wow,<\/span> okay,<\/span> what's<\/span> next?<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: I<\/span> can<\/span> keep<\/span> going.<\/span> And<\/span> then,<\/span> the<\/span> light's<\/span> a<\/span> bit<\/span> bad,<\/span> but<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> left<\/span> hand<\/span> side<\/span> there,<\/span> Oh,<\/span> and<\/span> then<\/span> it<\/span> says<\/span> a<\/span> safe<\/span> place<\/span> for<\/span> students,<\/span> faculty<\/span> and<\/span> staff.<\/span> Wow.<\/span> And<\/span> then,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> experienced<\/span> sexual<\/span> assault<\/span> or<\/span> other<\/span> forms<\/span> of<\/span> sexual<\/span> violence,<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> not<\/span> your<\/span> fault.<\/span> And<\/span> then<\/span> it<\/span> gives<\/span> a<\/span> little<\/span> information<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> boxes,<\/span> just<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> talk?<\/span> So<\/span> in<\/span> that<\/span> one<\/span> page,<\/span> I'm<\/span> being<\/span> listened<\/span> to.<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> where<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> for<\/span> more<\/span> help.<\/span> I'm<\/span> being<\/span> validated<\/span> on<\/span> one<\/span> page.<\/span> I<\/span> just<\/span> sat<\/span> there<\/span> and<\/span> stared<\/span> at<\/span> that<\/span> for<\/span> about<\/span> five<\/span> minutes.<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> so<\/span> impressed.<\/span> And<\/span> then<\/span> you<\/span> scroll<\/span> down<\/span> just<\/span> one<\/span> page<\/span> and<\/span> then,<\/span> have<\/span> you<\/span> experienced<\/span> a<\/span> recent<\/span> sexual<\/span> assault,<\/span> your<\/span> safety<\/span> comes<\/span> first<\/span> and<\/span> then<\/span> bang<\/span> one,<\/span> two,<\/span> three.<\/span> Find<\/span> a<\/span> safe<\/span> place,<\/span> go<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> hospital,<\/span> call<\/span> us.<\/span> And,<\/span> it<\/span> went<\/span> down<\/span> from<\/span> there.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: It's<\/span> very<\/span> well<\/span> done.<\/span> I<\/span> don't<\/span> know<\/span> if<\/span> people<\/span> are<\/span> from<\/span> UBC<\/span> here<\/span> but<\/span> well<\/span> done.<\/span> Good<\/span> job.<\/span> So<\/span> I<\/span> hope<\/span> that<\/span> helps.<\/span> As<\/span> you've<\/span> all<\/span> been<\/span> mentioning<\/span> since<\/span> I've<\/span> been<\/span> here<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> should<\/span> be<\/span> working<\/span> together,<\/span> so<\/span> I<\/span> think<\/span> you<\/span> should<\/span> just<\/span> go<\/span> to<\/span> UBC's<\/span> website<\/span> and<\/span> steal<\/span> it<\/span> all<\/span> and<\/span> I'm<\/span> sorry<\/span> I<\/span> missed<\/span> the<\/span> students<\/span> that<\/span> were<\/span> speaking<\/span> just<\/span> before<\/span> I<\/span> arrived<\/span> before<\/span> lunch<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> understand<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> were<\/span> advocating<\/span> for<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> and<\/span> that's<\/span> terrific.<\/span> Keep<\/span> doing<\/span> so<\/span> because<\/span> this<\/span> is<\/span> ...<\/span> Keep<\/span> demanding<\/span> that<\/span> respect.<\/span> I<\/span> would<\/span> have<\/span> liked<\/span> to<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> here<\/span> to<\/span> hear<\/span> that,<\/span> but<\/span> I<\/span> was<\/span> having<\/span> a<\/span> plain<\/span> language<\/span> crisis<\/span> trying<\/span> to<\/span> park<\/span> my<\/span> car<\/span> and<\/span> pay<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> parking<\/span> because<\/span> I<\/span> didn't<\/span> ...<\/span> It's<\/span> a<\/span> sad<\/span> story<\/span> but<\/span> I<\/span> didn't<\/span> have<\/span> my<\/span> credit<\/span> card<\/span> and<\/span> all<\/span> the<\/span> machines<\/span> said<\/span> well<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> don't<\/span> have<\/span> credit<\/span> card<\/span> you<\/span> can<\/span> pay<\/span> cash<\/span> but<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> that,<\/span> go<\/span> inside.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRuth Wilson: I<\/span> was<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> middle<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> downstairs<\/span> parking<\/span> lot<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> just<\/span> stood<\/span> there.<\/span> Where?<\/span> Anyway<\/span> I<\/span> resolved<\/span> it<\/span> with<\/span> the<\/span> help<\/span> of<\/span> a<\/span> very<\/span> kind<\/span> person,<\/span> two<\/span> or<\/span> three<\/span> kind<\/span> people.<\/span> But<\/span> I<\/span> thought,<\/span> isn't<\/span> this<\/span> ironic?<\/span> Go<\/span> inside.<\/span> Plain,<\/span> clear,<\/span> big,<\/span> but<\/span> ...<\/span> so<\/span> thank<\/span> you<\/span> very<\/span> much.<\/span> We<\/span> don't<\/span> have<\/span> time<\/span> for<\/span> questions<\/span> and<\/span> answers.<\/span> I<\/span> am<\/span> staying<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> networking<\/span> reception.<\/span> So<\/span> if<\/span> there<\/span> are<\/span> any<\/span> of<\/span> you<\/span> who'd<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> introduce<\/span> yourself,<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> have<\/span> any<\/span> other<\/span> questions,<\/span> I'm<\/span> very<\/span> happy<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> here<\/span> and<\/span> thank<\/span> you<\/span> again.<\/span>\r\n\r\nJennifer Jordan: Thank<\/span> you<\/span> very<\/span> much,<\/span> Ruth.<\/span> Just<\/span> wait<\/span> one<\/span> moment<\/span> as<\/span> I<\/span> walk<\/span> and<\/span> everybody<\/span> just<\/span> hold<\/span> on<\/span> one<\/span> moment<\/span> because<\/span> Anna<\/span> Elaine<\/span> is<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> talk<\/span> about<\/span> what<\/span> things<\/span> will<\/span> look<\/span> like<\/span> after<\/span> the<\/span> break.<\/span> So<\/span> thanks<\/span> again,<\/span> Ruth.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnna Elaine: All<\/span> right.<\/span> Yeah,<\/span> thank<\/span> you<\/span> very<\/span> much.<\/span> I'm<\/span> very<\/span> excited<\/span> about<\/span> a<\/span> lot<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> information<\/span> that<\/span> was<\/span> in<\/span> that<\/span> so<\/span> just<\/span> before<\/span> we<\/span> go<\/span> over<\/span> to<\/span> break,<\/span> I<\/span> do<\/span> just<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> remind<\/span> everybody<\/span> once<\/span> again<\/span> that<\/span> there<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> counselor<\/span> that<\/span> is<\/span> available<\/span> for<\/span> anyone<\/span> who<\/span> would<\/span> like<\/span> to<\/span> speak<\/span> to<\/span> her.<\/span> She'll<\/span> be<\/span> available.<\/span> We<\/span> also<\/span> do<\/span> have<\/span> the<\/span> decompression<\/span> space<\/span> so<\/span> please<\/span> feel<\/span> free<\/span> to<\/span> go<\/span> there<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> just<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> some<\/span> time<\/span> or<\/span> anything<\/span> either<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> break<\/span> or<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> needs<\/span> some<\/span> additional<\/span> time<\/span> before<\/span> coming<\/span> back<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> session.<\/span> No<\/span> worries<\/span> at<\/span> all.<\/span> And<\/span> also<\/span> please<\/span> always<\/span> feel<\/span> free<\/span> to<\/span> leave<\/span> at<\/span> any<\/span> point<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> feel<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> need<\/span> to.<\/span> We<\/span> want<\/span> to<\/span> respect<\/span> everybody's<\/span> boundaries<\/span> and<\/span> if<\/span> you<\/span> feel<\/span> that<\/span> you<\/span> need<\/span> to<\/span> leave,<\/span> it's<\/span> all<\/span> up<\/span> to<\/span> you.<\/span> You<\/span> know<\/span> your<\/span> boundaries<\/span> best.<\/span> All<\/span> right,<\/span> so<\/span> we're<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> take<\/span> a<\/span> 10<\/span> minute<\/span> break,<\/span> so<\/span> be<\/span> back<\/span> in<\/span> 10<\/span> minutes<\/span> please.<\/span> We<\/span> are<\/span> going<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> rearranging<\/span> the<\/span> tables<\/span> because<\/span> we<\/span> will<\/span> be<\/span> having<\/span> five<\/span> different<\/span> sections<\/span> where<\/span> we<\/span> will<\/span> be<\/span> moving<\/span> around<\/span> in<\/span> five<\/span> different<\/span> groups.<\/span> So<\/span> when<\/span> you<\/span> come<\/span> back,<\/span> we'll<\/span> be<\/span> getting<\/span> into<\/span> those.<\/span> Go<\/span> use<\/span> the<\/span> bathroom,<\/span> do<\/span> whatever<\/span> you<\/span> need<\/span> to<\/span> do<\/span> now.<\/span> Thank<\/span> you.<\/span>\r\n

<\/p>","rendered":"

Speaker: Ruth Wilson, West Coast Editorial Associates<\/h2>\n

Video Player<\/h2>\n