Accessibility takes into account the reading and comprehension abilities of your audience. Your audience can range from the general public (which may include groups with limited literacy) to world experts in a particular field. See Making text readable for information on connecting with your audience and making content readable, and Clear and appropriate language for guidance on creating clear and understandable text.

Ensuring that your text is understandable by people with limited reading skills is essential for some types of text (eg a patient consent form to participate in a clinical trial), but less critical for others (eg a technical report that is intended only for people in a highly specialised field).

Use your judgment about what is appropriate for your content and your audience. For example, if a technical report will also be available to the general public, consider including plain-English definitions of technical terms. You can also explain unusual words, idioms, abbreviations and pronunciations (eg in a glossary).

When text requires reading ability that is more advanced than a lower secondary education level, provide supplementary content or a version that does not require advanced reading ability. This is helpful for content intended for a broad audience, including the general public.

Avoid instructions that include directions, colours, sizes or shapes (eg the menu on the left, click the round button, highlighted in red). Rewrite the instruction so that people using assistive technologies can perceive this information.