Easy-to-read language

Accessible and clear communication to all

WHAT IS EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE?

Easy-to-read language is a simplified writing style, which ensures that the texts are clear and accessible to everyone including those who have reading or comprehension difficulties. Texts written in easy-to-read language are unique with their short and clear sentences, which convey the most important information regarding a certain topic. Usually, such texts come along with images helping to understand the information.

As of January 1, 2024, public authorities have been obliged to provide information in easy-to-read language, and following Directive 2019/882/EU of the European Parliament and the Council (the European Accessibility Act), the majority of Lithuanian companies will have to comply with this as of June 2025. The European Accessibility Act applies to all businesses that offer digital products and services within the EU. Only companies with less than 10 employees will be exempted.

Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, legal consequences, and reputational damage. However, accessibility is not just an obligation. It is a competitive advantage and an opportunity to reach more users.

Statistically, easy-to-read language would help more than 15% of Lithuanians. That is 420,000 people.

WHICH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES EILL NEED TO BE ADAPTED TO EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE?

Computers and operating software
E-books
Online shops
ATMs, ticket machines and registers
Smartphones
Television equipment related to cable TV services
Telecommunication services, for example, service provider apps and websites
Audiovisual media services
Online and physical transport-related services such as ticket machines, apps and websites
All financial services, for example, internet banking

The following technical solutions are also mandatory: alternative text for visual elements, subtitles and transcription of audio and video content, content structuring according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), and the adaptation of interactive elements (buttons, forms, navigation) for all users.

WHY EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT?

Avoid legal risks – Non-compliance with the EAA can lead to regulatory penalties and legal action.
Expand your audience – An accessible website attracts a broader customer base, including users with disabilities.
Enhance user experience – Accessibility improvements benefit all users, not just those with impairments.
Strengthen your brand’s reputation – Demonstrate your commitment to inclusion and corporate responsibility.

WHO IS THE EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE FOR?

For people with intellectual disabilities
For the elderly
For people who know only the basic grammar in the local language
For people with reading difficulties or dyslexia
For anyone looking for clear easy-to-read information

Esay-to-read language levels

Easy-to-read language has three levels of clarity depending on the audience:

Level 1 texts are short and contain only essential information. Level 1 texts are aimed at people with significant cognitive challenges. The ideas are presented in a very clear and coherent way and illustrated with examples from everyday life.

Level 2 texts are short and convey the most important information on a given topic. New and more detailed information is introduced gradually, only when it is necessary. Key information or more complex ideas are illustrated with pictures.

Level 3 texts are aimed at people with lower levels of education and literacy, and people with intellectual disabilities. May be supplemented with pictures, but not necessarily. These texts are also suitable for advanced users of Lithuanian as a foreign language.

All the standards for text production discussed above emphasise the importance of the inclusion of the target group – the text must be checked in an easily understandable language by validators supported by facilitators.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Our specialists assist businesses and the public sector in transforming texts into easy-to-read language. The process includes:

Analysis of existing texts, accessibility audit – we identify which documents or parts of websites need to be adapted and simplified.
Content simplification – texts are rewritten according to easy-to-read language guidelines to ensure they are clear and easier to understand.
Multilingual accessibility – ensuring website accessibility in multiple languages.
Subtitles and transcriptions – creating and embedding subtitles and other supporting materials in the necessary formats.
Alternative text for images – ensuring that all visual content is properly described within the required visual materials.
Proper content structuring – using headings, contrast, and clear formatting for better readability.
Accessible interactive elements – optimizing buttons, forms, and navigation for all users.
Final review and testing – texts and other content are tested with target groups to ensure comprehensibility.
Staff training – if needed, we train your staff to communicate in easy-to-read language and provide services appropriately.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREPARING TEXTS IN EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE:

Avoid long sentences, complex sentence structure
Avoid unnecessary words
Use well-known terms
Avoid negative words
Avoid phraseologies
It is recommended to explain difficult words a few times
Use at least a 1.5 gap between the lines, a minimum font size of 14
Enhance the text with explanatory images

Recommendations for the technical accessibility of a website:

Clear and readable text – Adequate contrast, structured formatting (H1, H2, H3, etc.), and simple, easy-to-understand language.
Alternative text for images – Ensuring visually impaired users can understand content.
Subtitles and transcripts – Adding captions to videos and podcasts.
Keyboard-friendly navigation – Ensuring all functionalities can be accessed without a mouse.
Web content accessibility improvements – Enhancing text readability, structuring information clearly, and ensuring multimedia content is fully accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive requiring businesses to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities. Starting in June 2025, these regulations will apply to e-commerce websites, banks, mobile apps, e-books, and companies offering services to consumers.

Which website elements need to be adapted?

Indications on how to design websites and mobile applications in accordance with the EAA are presented in The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They include 4 principles, the implementation of which may require many activities:

1. Make it possible for users to use the website or application using the senses available to them. How?

Equip images and photos with alt texts, so that blind people can find out what they represent.
Prepare transcripts of audio and video materials, and provide subtitles and audio description for films.
Use headings, lists, etc., so that the text has a logical, clear structure.
Introduce highlights that are not based only on color.
When choosing text colors, choose ones that will be easy to distinguish from the background.
Make sure that after enlarging the text by 200 or even 400%, the content and functions are still visible and easily accessible. Make sure it is responsive, meaning that the screen view automatically adjusts to the screen width of the device.

2. Make sure that users can find and use content and functions regardless of how they navigate. This primarily includes enabling the site to be operated using both the mouse and the keyboard alone, but also:

the ability to stop and turn off moving content, eliminating flashing elements;
placing links that allow you to quickly go to specific content;
ensuring that page titles and text headers are consistent with their content and understandable;
properly describing links so that it is clear where they lead;
in the case of forms—labels that clearly indicate what should be entered in a given field;
avoiding complex gestures on touch screens, replacing them with simpler ones;
the ability to turn off and change keyboard shortcuts.

Make sure that users understand the content and how the site or application works. This is where the principles of plain language come into play. According to this rule, you should also:

explain any abbreviations used;
define in the code of the page/application what is the content’s language;
ensure that elements work consistently on all subpages and have a similar appearance;
ensure that forms are understandable—in addition to the visible and understandable labels we mentioned in the previous point, also make sure error messages and tips on how to correct them are clear.

4. Make sure that the content and functions work correctly in many different user programs (not only in web browsers, but also, for example, in readers for the blind). This rule refers to strictly technical issues, such as code compliance with the HTML web standard.

What happens if my website doesn’t comply with the EAA?

Non-compliance can lead to fines, legal action, and reputational damage. Each EU member state enforces penalties differently, but businesses that fail to meet accessibility standards risk significant consequences.

How long does it take to make a website EAA-compliant?

The timeline depends on your website’s current state. Some websites only need minor adjustments, while others may require a complete redesign. We provide customized solutions to fit your needs.

Can Skrivanek help with accessibility in multiple languages?

Absolutely! We specialize in multilingual accessibility, ensuring that your content is available and accessible in different languages to serve global audiences.

Contact us

Familiarising yourself with the requirements of the EU Directive can be a daunting task. If you’re not sure how to implement these requirements, Skrivanek’s team of experts can help.

Want to know more about our easy-to-understand language service? Contact us and we’ll help you create texts that are accessible to everyone!

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