Putting the Plain Language Act into action

Aotearoa New Zealand now has a Plain Language Act!

While the Act is for public service agencies and crown agents, who must now comply with it, we believe all digital products benefit from plain language. Plain language can have a real impact on making online services inclusive, usable and accessible to all Kiwis.

In this webinar, two of our content and user experience experts Virginia Gow and Emma Martin will talk through: 

• what ‘plain language’ means in Aotearoa NZ 
• what the Act is and who it is for
• how plain language can improve the user experience and increase digital inclusivity, including how content works in harmony with design.

Our speakers

Virginia Gow — Content Strategy Lead and plain language enthusiast 

Virginia has a Master’s in Information Studies and spent over 10 years in the public sector working on digital content initiatives with an educational and cultural heritage focus. At Springload, she leads complex content projects for diverse clients, including recently managing 11 content designers in the full-site rewrite of the Massey University website, which was shortlisted in the Plain Language Awards 2022. 

Emma Martin — Experience Lead and accessibility advocate

Emma leads the strategic accessibility practice at Springload. She designs experiences that work for everyone by conducting user research, building wireframes, and testing prototypes. With Springload, Emma has worked for the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Commerce Commission, Dignity, ACC, and more. Previously, Emma designed digital interactives for clients including Te Papa, Chelsea Sugar, Auckland Museum, and the National Library of New Zealand.