Submitted by: Marisa Serrano, Administrative Analyst, Live Well San Diego Support Team

Language is a powerful tool and the words we use to tell our stories, share information, and communicate matter! People process and perceive information differently. So, we need to be conscious of our audience and their perspectives, cultures, and needs.

In a growing space of online communication, how do we find the right language to use in digital campaigns and content development?

Let’s start by defining a couple of terms:  

• Inclusive Communication:

This includes written, verbal, and visual communications that everyone can understand without causing harm (intentional or unintentional). These communications should reflect an understanding of your audience through learning and staying up to date on equitable language (phrasing or words that are most appropriate to use). The goal is to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, feels like they belong.

• Accessible Communication:

This includes written, verbal, and visual communications that are clear, direct, and easy to understand (plain language) and that can be made available in multiple formats so that all users have equal access (University of Oxford).

Best practices when developing inclusive and accessible communication:   

• Cultural Consciousness:

Being respectful of the different cultures in our community. Language and culture evolve, and it is important to continue learning how people and groups within our community self-identify. Develop culturally CAPABLE materials.

• Identify Implicit Bias:

Implicit bias involves our subconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices or stereotypes that we have developed throughout our lives that can impact our actions and decisions, including how we communicate or the materials we develop. We all have implicit bias and can practice self-reflective work to minimize the impact.

• Equity Lens:

Review language and materials through an equity lens. Ask yourself - Is this messaging accessible? What does the messaging or imagery assume about the reader? How is my implicit bias impacting the communication? Do the materials include stereotypical imagery or messaging?

Want to learn more? Check out the following additional tools and resources!

General Resources:

• PlainLanguage.gov
• APA Style Guide to Bias-Free Language
• City of Portland Inclusive Writing Guide
• Harvard University Implicit Association Test
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Think Cultural Health – Culturally CAPABLE Materials
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Preferred Terms

Social Media Resources:

• Accessible Social Resource and Education Hub
• Government Social Media Observance Calendar

Do you have tools or best practices in your organization for practicing equitable communication? Share them with us and we will highlight them in a future blog post!

Email tools, resources, or questions to LiveWellCommunications@sdcounty.ca.gov.