Canada just reached a major milestone in accessibility: the Federal Accessibility Standards Committee has released Canada’s first-ever Plain Language Standard. For the first time, we have official national guidelines to help make information easier for everyone to read, understand, and use.
Created by Accessibility Standards Canada, this new standard is part of a broader effort to remove barriers across the country.
Why plain language matters
Plain language is about communicating clearly so that more people can access, process, and act on information with confidence.
This is especially important for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Many individuals with FASD benefit from information that’s direct, consistent, and easy to navigate. When communication is clear, people can better understand instructions, make informed decisions, feel more confident interacting with services, and reduce the stress and confusion that complex language can create.
Even though the new standard is currently voluntary and applies mainly to federal organizations, it sends a strong message. Any organization – big or small – can follow these guidelines to make their websites, documents, and communication more accessible to all.
We encourage professionals in every field to consider using plain language. It’s a simple, powerful way to support inclusion. And if you’re looking for tools to help, CanFASD has great language resources that can guide your writing.
How we talk about FASD matters
Language shapes how people think. And when it comes to FASD, language has too often caused harm.
FASD is a highly stigmatized disability. People with FASD, their families, and pregnant women and girls often face multiple layers of stigma every day. This stigma can affect self-esteem, reduce the likelihood of seeking care or support, and impact mental health and social interactions.
Even with good intentions, words can reinforce stereotypes without us realizing it. Using negative or stigmatizing language can make people feel judged or misunderstood. Plain, non-stigmatizing language helps us focus on strengths, challenge harmful misconceptions, support pregnant people with compassion, and highlight the full humanity of people with FASD.
While we want to share the message about FASD far and wide, we need to pay specific attention the words and images we use. Sentences like “FASD is 100% preventable” oversimplify a complex issue. It’s better to say “FASD can be prevented”. Words like “suffering” and “damaged” focus on the negative. They imply that people with FASD are victims who aren’t capable of living fulfilling lives. It is better to say “people with FASD” or “affected by FASD” to reinforce their full spectrum of experience.
Helpful resources
If you want to learn more about speaking and writing about FASD in clear, respectful ways, these resources can help.
The Common Messages document is updated every year to promote consistency in how we talk about FASD. It covers key statistics, research highlights, framing suggestions, and best practices for language use.
The Language Guide offers alternative words and phrases that reduce stigma and promote dignity for people living with FASD and their families.