by Jamie Ray-Leonetti

10 Days in a Madhouse is an opera. This means that the people on stage sing the story instead of speaking it. Some of the story is told with music instead of words. The story happens a long time ago. Most of the action happens inside a hospital for women on Blackwell’s Island in the State of New York.

• Some of the women in the hospital may have mental illness.
• Other women are in the hospital because they are poor.
• Other women are there because they came to America from another country.
• Some women in the hospital have no friends or family to help them.

No one in the hospital wants to be there. The women want to leave. The doctor says they cannot leave until they are “cured”. The male doctor controls what happens to all the women.

What is Plain Language?

Plain language is a way to make sure more people understand written or spoken communication. Plain language is “communication that is clear, straightforward, and only uses words that are necessary.” [1] Some common tips for writing in plain language are to

• Avoid writing in the past tense.
• Avoid jargon or acronyms.
• Use bulleted lists.

Why is Plain Language Important?

• It breaks down barriers for people with disabilities, people with reading challenges, and anyone who may prefer plain language.
• It helps create an inclusive space where everyone belongs.
• It helps everyone understand.

Where can I learn more about plain language?

• Check out the resources available on the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Resource Center here >>
  
• Download the plain language toolkit here >>
• Follow the “ABCs of Plain Language” here >>
• Watch Tuesdays with Liz here >>
• Ask a self-advocate what plain language means to them!