Rules / accessibility

Use clear words for the actual audience

IF a simpler word is equally accurate, respectful, and familiar, THEN use it ELSE retain the necessary precise term with support.

Condition

The rule fires when this evaluates true. Paths marked below must be present in the fact base; the engine reports the rest rather than guessing them.

Facts this rule reads

LAKA

Sources

• Principles of plain language — Digital.gov / U.S. General Services Administration link
  Design content so the intended audience can find, understand, and use it.
• Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities — W3C link
  Clear words, simple voice and tense, explicit instructions, and supportive structure.
• ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language — Part 1 — ISO https://www.iso.org/standard/78907.html
  Governing principles for documents readers can find, understand, and use.

{
  "id": "ACC-001",
  "name": "Use clear words for the actual audience",
  "domain": "accessibility",
  "layer": "word",
  "strength": "context_default",
  "human_logic": "IF a simpler word is equally accurate, respectful, and familiar, THEN use it ELSE retain the necessary precise term with support.",
  "when": {
    "path": "word.simple_equivalent.equal_accuracy",
    "operator": "eq",
    "value": true
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "replace",
      "target": "word",
      "with": "simple_equivalent"
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "retain",
      "target": "current_text",
      "reason": "No triggering condition is present."
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "Plain language reduces preventable barriers without removing necessary ideas.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "WEB-002",
    "WEB-006",
    "WEB-009"
  ],
  "laka": {
    "smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
    "primary_axes": [
      "scope",
      "depth",
      "magnitude",
      "reversibility"
    ]
  }
}

Other accessibility rules

1. ACC-002 Simple tense and voice when possible IF present active construction expresses the real time and actor, THEN prefer it ELSE use the tense and voice accuracy requires. Context default
2. ACC-003 No nested double negatives IF a double negative or negative inside another condition obscures polarity, THEN rewrite with one explicit positive or negative operation ELSE retain a necessary legal distinction with explanation. Hard constraint
3. ACC-004 Separate each instruction IF multiple actions appear in one block and can be completed separately, THEN make each a separate step ELSE retain a single compound action. Context default
4. ACC-005 Explain implied meaning when consequential IF humor, irony, metaphor, convention, or context carries a consequential instruction or conclusion, THEN state the literal meaning too ELSE retain. Hard constraint
5. ACC-006 Headings and labels are unique and descriptive IF repeated or vague headings prevent out-of-context identification, THEN rename them by topic or task ELSE retain. Hard constraint
6. ACC-007 Text alternatives convey function or information IF meaningful non-text content appears, THEN provide a concise equivalent of its purpose and relevant information; IF decorative, mark it ignorable ELSE block release. Hard constraint
7. ACC-008 Do not encode meaning by color alone IF color distinguishes status, category, instruction, or error, THEN add text, shape, icon, pattern, or position with an accessible label ELSE retain. Hard constraint
8. ACC-009 Avoid directional text without structural anchor IF instructions say above, below, left, right, or color-only location and layout can reflow, THEN name the control, section, or landmark ELSE retain stable spatial instruction. Hard constraint