CLAD - Clear Language and Design Canadian Literacy Facts
Customer Service and Clear Language


The Allen-Bradley Corporation, maker of programmable controllers, found that customer service calls shifted from 50 calls a day to 2 calls a month after they redesigned their documents using plain language and readable formats.

"Plain English on the Plant Floor," Plain Language Principles and Practice, B. Jereb (ed.), Wayne State University Press, 1991

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission changed its regulations for citizen band radios from traditional legal language to plain English. Before, 5 full-time employees were needed to answer the public’s questions. After, inquiries stopped.

United States Federal Communications Commission

In 1994, insurance industry leaders in Canada launched a plain language auto insurance policy. When it was tested with a focus group, 80% of the test group could understand the new policy, compared to 20% with the old policy.

Office of the Plain Language Advisor, Management Board of Cabinet, 1996

In a 1993 home electronics consumer survey, 86% believed consumers have the right to clear instruction manuals with their electronics products. Most of those surveyed were willing to pay more for clarity. The survey responses provided "strong evidence that people who buy products with clear communications are likely to become loyal, repeat customers," say the authors of the study.

"How do consumers feel about home electronics products and the communications that explain them?" Shriver et al., Dynamics in document design: Creating texts for readers, 1994

"With a plain language lease I had over 50% of my shopping centre tenants return their lease before the completion date. This is unprecedented!" says Georgina Lynch, an Australian Corporate Counsel.

"Plain Language in Law: the view from Australia," Judith Bennett, Plain Language In Progress Conference Proceedings, 1995

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