Use inclusive writing to get everyone’s attention
Claire Hewitt | July 15, 2024
Would it matter if you failed to engage one in five of your readers? What if the one who didn’t engage was your boss? Or a key client?
Experts estimate up to one in five employees in New Zealand have ADHD or other neurodiversity, so it’s worth understanding their needs as readers. Fortunately, the same techniques for busy, distracted businesspeople can help your writing to be inclusive for everyone. Here’s how.
Inclusive writing means identifying all types of reader. Image by Lidya Nada / Unsplash licence
Clear, plain writing is a powerful ally for inclusion
Clear and plain writing lifts readability and precision. But another benefit is that it helps everyone access your information, including people who process information differently such as those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is what we mean by inclusive writing — nobody gets left out.
ADHD is a condition characterised by differences in brain activity. Adults with ADHD often experience challenges with executive function, memory, attention, and emotional regulation. These challenges can make it particularly difficult to navigate traditional, complex texts.
The Australian ADHD Professionals Association emphasises the need for accessible information in its guidelines. These are the main guidelines for Australasia and reflect the leading guidance from around the world.
Read the guidelines on the AADPA website
The Association advocates for clear language to support people with ADHD. They know language can influence attitudes and affect people’s lives. The concept of ‘person-first’ language is important here. This is a concept that emphasises the person before their condition. For example, person-first language says, ‘adults with ADHD’ rather than ‘ADHD adults’ and ‘person with autistic spectrum disorder’ rather than ‘an autistic person’.
Note that some people prefer to use what’s called identity-first language, such as ‘autistic person’, so if you can, ask the person which they prefer.
Plain writing is inclusive writing. It is more than a style: it’s a critical tool for inclusivity. It works especially well for readers with non-typical brains. But actually, your busy or overwhelmed colleagues will also thank you for making things easier for them!
Reduce ‘cognitive load’
Simple, direct sentences are ideal. Plain writing helps break down complex ideas into easier-to-understand elements. Straightforward sentences and familiar words help because they reduce the cognitive load of information processing. Compare that to dense texts filled with technical jargon. Yuck!
People with neurodiversity may use more cognitive effort to process information. A neurotypical person’s brain slows down unnecessary activity when they focus on something. In contrast, people with ADHD need to level up activity to focus, because the rest of their brain keeps humming at full speed.
Keep your readers interested
When text is easier to digest, readers are more likely to engage with it. And that’s the same for any business reader. When you capture people’s attention, you’ll empower them with information and be more likely to get the outcomes you seek.
All plain language techniques will help bring clarity and precision to your writing. The AADPA guidelines highlight those that are particularly helpful for readers with ADHD.
- Use short sentences and paragraphs: This helps in managing the reader’s cognitive load, making it easier to follow along.
- Avoid jargon: Replace complex terms with simpler alternatives. If technical terms are necessary, define them the first time.
- Active voice: Active voice is direct and easier to understand than passive voice.
- Personal and inclusive language: Use pronouns like ‘you’ and ‘we’ to speak directly to the reader, creating a connection and making the text more relatable.
- Structured information: Use headings, bullet points, and lists to organise information clearly. This structure helps readers with ADHD to follow the logic of the text without getting lost.
Plain language is not ‘dumbing it down’
Some people still see plain language as over-simplifying. But this misunderstands its proper application. Similarly, people with ADHD don’t need things to be dumbed down — it’s not about IQ .
Gifted entrepreneurs, and successful businesspeople are just as likely to be neurodivergent as anyone else, if not more. Think Richard Branson, former Cisco CEO John Chambers, Harvard professor Dr John Ratey, and many others.
Richard Branson’s discussion about his dyslexia prompts wider thinking on inclusion
John Chambers explains seeing dyslexia as a strength
Read about Dr John Ratey, Harvard professor
Other notable people with ADHD
Our brains are all wired differently, but we all want to understand. Image by Илья Мельниченко / Unsplash licence
ADHD gives a ’vocabulary advantage’
A 2023 study by Brouillard and Byers-Heinlein found that young adults with ADHD tend to have larger vocabularies compared to controls. This is thought to be because ADHD makes it easier to embrace new stimuli and ideas.
No wonder the neurodiverse community includes so many entrepreneurs and leading thinkers! If you’re writing in the hope that someone will get behind your ideas, this is just the audience you want to reach.
If you want your writing to count with all readers, including those who are neurodivergent, clear and plain writing is your friend. Clear, precise, straightforward writing is accessible, respectful, and engaging for all readers. Let’s embrace clear communication to create a more inclusive world.
Read about the vocabulary size advantage