When we talk about accessibility one might think it does not concern them. We however forget that while accessibility is a lifeline for some, we all benefit from it.
Accessible and clear communication is a key factor in increasing well-being at work in the modern fragmented work life. It means we often must do multiple tasks at the same time and work might get sudden interruptions. Information arrives from multiple sources and there may be too much or too little of it. Work life consists more of fixed-term employment contracts that may overlap.
With accessible communication one often means clear visuals in all communication platforms, information about accessibility and clear language. However clear is often interpreted as simple, which results in communication not being comprehensive enough. It is important to acknowledge which is the right amount of information in each situation.
We much however make a separation on easy language and clear communication. Easy language consists of simple sentences and easy words. It is estimated that over 10% of Finns benefit from easy language. Clear communication however means that the information is unambiguous, and it includes all necessary information. Even if we did not use easy language with our communication, we can make use of it to better our communication.
With clear communication it is essential what we communicate and how we communicate. It is important that we communicate in a way that it minimizes misunderstandings. We should not assume the listener knows all the details we know. We should also avoid too broad or ambiguous terms. It is not enough to just say “do this”, but we should be able to define everything it includes.
Breaking down tasks into smaller portions becomes essential. A good example of a breakdown of a task is recipes. For someone cooking for the very first time “make a casserole” can be a complicated task with multiple steps. However, the more we cook casseroles the easier it becomes, and separate steps are not as necessary for our understanding of the task. We still must remember there are as many recipes as there is people cooking. The way we are accustomed to cooking a casserole can be different from the way someone else cooks it. If we don’t communicate how we want our casserole cooked the result can be something unexpected. Recipes usually begin with the ingredient list. Such ingredient list is required for all tasks. Do we have all the information we need to accomplish the task?
With clear communication it is also important to direct the task to someone. There is no more sure way to have the task remain undone, as saying “this should be done” or “someone should do this”. The task should be directed to someone specific, and all necessary information should be provided. It is also acceptable to provide the necessary information later. The goal of the task should also be clearly explained. If the goal is clear enough it is easier to execute the task.
No matter if it concerns a work team, customers or family, it has been shown that clear communication benefits well-being. It increases confidence in your own skills, which relieves stress. Clear expectations increase motivation and the feeling of self-efficacy. A healthy and motivated person is also more active and productive.
Investing in clear communication increases the well-being of all of us. Accessibility is not a matter of opinion, it is in the interest of all of us.
