Welcome to lesson 5 of the Communications 101 Bootcamp.

To complete this lesson, read and watch the content marked ‘required’. If you have extra time, explore the ‘recommended’ resources to take your learning further.

Required

10-MINUTE READ

Government regulations and programs affect Canadians in many different but important ways. Read about the importance of Plain language, accessibility, and inclusive communications.

__3-MINUTE READ __

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the communications team at Indigenous Services Canada realized there was an absence of readily available public health messaging content for Indigenous youth. The powerful #ProtectOurElders campaign demonstrates how grassroots communications can reach a target audience and tackle large issues. Read the key insights here: #ProtectOurElders – Creating Pandemic Communications Partnerships.

4-MINUTE READ

Sandra Donatucci led the marketing team responsible for promoting awareness and uptake of the COVID Alert app among Canadians. In this article, Using Plain Language in Marketing and Advertising, she shares the story of the marketing behind the app, along with top tips and tricks for building accessibility into mobile app promotion.

3-MINUTE READ

Read about Delivering effective communications: Diverse and inclusive networks.

1.25-HOURS VIDEO

Watch Connecting with Canadians: Outreach and Engagement with Indigenous and Racialized Communities.

Follow along with the English presentation: Presentation Refugee 613 (GC network only)

50-MINUTE VIDEO

Watch Writing with empathy, integrity and authenticity to learn best practices for writing speeches, speaking points, video scripts, and communications products that make an impact for an internal audience. Panel discussion will share tips on how to engage employees at all-staff events.

Follow along with the English presentation: Panel Presentation (GC network only)

1.5-HOUR VIDEO

Watch Lived experiences, tips and best practices for accessible communications.

5-MINUTE READ

Find out how Indigenous communities are creating inclusive Covid-19 messaging in this article by Apolitical that discusses international perspectives on communicating with Indigenous peoples.

15-MINUTE READ

Discover how the Government of Canada is Making communications accessible in the Government of Canada.

11-MINUTE VIDEO

In this TED Talk, How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, inclusion advocate Janet Stovall shares a 3-part action plan for creating and nurturing a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and where all people feel safe to be their authentic selves.

3-MINUTE READ

Read about Breaking down barriers: Plain language.

3-MINUTE READ

Read about Breaking down barriers: Accessibility.

3-MINUTE READ

Read about Breaking down barriers: Inclusion.

3-MINUTE READ

Now that you understand the basics of plain language, it is time to put it into practice. Read these 12 plain language tips.

WEBINAR

Check out the Communicating with Indigenous Communities (bilingual) webinar and the related COVID-19 presentation (GC network only) to learn how Indigenous Services Canada met their communications and marketing objectives through creativity, innovation, and trial and error, and why it is so important that these efforts be sustained, now more than ever.

WEBINAR

Check out the International Plain Language Day webinar.

WEBINAR

Watch the CBSA workshop about plain language and culture (French only), to learn about the importance of accessibility and plain language.

Follow along with the English presentation: Plain language workshop presentation and Plain language tools and worksheet (GC network only)

RESOURCES

Access a variety of resources on Diversity and Inclusion (GC network only), and join the plain language community of practice (GC network only) and Accessible Communications Community of Practice (GC network only) for learning events and resources.

This marks the end of lesson 5. Check back in for the next lesson via email.