Plain Language Act

Plain Language Act

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write “clear government communication that the public can understand and use.” President Obama also emphasized the importance of establishing “a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration” in his Jan. 21, 2009 Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government.

The ODNI is committed to writing new documents in plain language using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have trouble understanding our documents or the pages on this website. Our assigned staff member to oversee our plain
language efforts is Jeff A., chief of staff, Public Affairs.

The ODNI is training our employees and have created an oversight process. We must use plain language in any document that

  • Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes.
  • Provides information about any federal government benefit or service.
  • Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces.

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