Laura Kerry

Plain language advocacy

Spread user-centered content practices in NYC government through content trainings and consultations.

Services

Plain language
Training
Editorial workflow
Style guidelines
Copywriting
Accessibility
Localization

Background

Historically, governments have communicated in a complex, formal style inaccessible to many. As NYC brings more of its services to digital spaces, it has the opportunity to adapt how it communicates and better serve New Yorkers.

As the only dedicated content specialist at the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, I help empower teams to adopt best practices for writing on the web and consider New Yorkers at the center of what they say. I’ve trained and consulted with the data, design, and policy teams in my unit, as well as others from different City agencies.

What I do

Trainings

To support those new to plain language or writing on the web, I developed an hour-long training that introduces what plain language is, why you should use it, and guidelines for using it. The goal of the training is to not only provide the tools to write in a more accessible way, but also reframe communication around the audience.

Slide from a plain language training exemplifying user- and service-centered content that gets right to the point. When looking for services, most people want to first know who they’re for and what they do.

Slide from plain language training explaining how people scan writing on the web. The denser the text, the lower the percentage we read. Lower literacy skills also make scanning difficult.

Reviews and consultations

I also provide ad hoc support to teams and projects. Activities have included:

Content reviews and edits
Setting up project-specific style guides
Helping develop editorial workflows and governance models
Sharing content testing methods

In each instance, I begin by seeking out and defining teams’ audiences and goals. I also take the time to explain suggestions to help teach content best practices.