Accessible Health Information Technology (Health IT) for Populations with Limited Literacy: A Guide for Developers and Purchasers of Health IT
This evidence-based guide from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality includes a checklist for website developers as well as general recommendations for improving the accessibility of all health IT.
Available at https://healthit.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/page/LiteracyGuide_0.pdf [PDF –268 KB]
AHRQ Informed Consent and Authorization Toolkit for Minimal Risk Research
This toolkit, developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), helps researchers obtain informed consent and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization from research participants.
Available at https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/ictoolkit.pdf [PDF – 292 KB]
CDC Clear Communication Index
This research-based tool supports the development and assessment of public communication materials.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ccindex/
Clear & Simple: Developing Effective Print Materials for Low-Literacy Readers
This guide, developed by the National Cancer Institute, outlines a process for developing publications for users with limited literacy skills. The process was derived from communication, health education, and literacy research and practice. The guide includes expertise from writers who have experience creating materials intended for limited-literacy users.
Available at http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication/clearandsimple.htm
Digital.gov
This website is a great reference for all things digital, with a focus on helping organization meet the requirements of federal web legislation. The site includes resources, guides, and information about shared services and tools available to help improve digital products.
Available at https://digital.gov/
Health Literacy Tool Shed
This collection of resources — maintained by Tufts Medicine Center for Health Literacy Research & Practice — contains information about health literacy measures, based on a review of peer-reviewed literature.
Microsoft Inclusive Design Webpage
This resource from Microsoft provides a helpful set of tools, activities, examples and more — all focused on helping you learn about and apply people-first (or inclusive) design. The site also includes resources for specific design areas, such as designing for mental health and for cognition.
Available at https://inclusive.microsoft.design/
National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy
This action plan from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is designed to engage organizations, professionals, policymakers, communities, individuals, and families in a linked, multi-sector effort to improve health literacy.
National Center for Environmental Health Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) Clear Writing Hub
The Clear Writing Hub is designed to help NCEH/ATSDR grantees and partners create environmental health information the public can understand and trust. It includes a variety of clear writing resources (including 3 training modules), toolkits to support your work, and resources to help you test your materials for clarity.
Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clearwriting/index.html
PlainLanguage.gov
Designed to improve communication from the Federal Government to the public, this website contains excellent tools and examples of plain language.
Available at http://www.plainlanguage.gov
Section508.gov
This website, designed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), offers background information and actionable strategies to help federal agencies comply with Section 508 requirements to ensure that digital tools are accessible to, and usable by, people with disabilities.
Available at https://www.section508.gov/
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
This site offers guidance and resources to help make the internet more accessible to people with disabilities. It also includes a free Digital Accessibility Foundations training course.
Available at https://www.w3.org/WAI/
Easy-to-Use Health Information on the Web
- MyHealthfinder
https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder - MedlinePlus
https://medlineplus.gov/all_easytoread.html - HealthCare.gov
https://www.healthcare.gov/
