Teltow turns the understanding around: Test office for light language opened!

Teltow turns the understanding around: Test office for light language opened!

In Germany, more than ten million people need easy language to actively participate in social life. A significant step to improve accessibility was carried out in Teltow in Brandenburg, where the only certified test office for light language is located. Here the so -called "Controllettis", a committed team, meets the texts for their intelligibility. The test office, which opened in July 2022, has been committed to increasing the quality and accessibility of information.

The auditor's examiners read already translated texts and evaluate them according to specified criteria. A current example that is currently being examined for intelligibility is about a queer youth center. Tested texts receive a red-blue test seal with the lettering "light language", a symbol of quality that may only be used for texts that meet strict requirements. These exams are carried out by a team of ten certified examiners who were trained in an intensive six-day training course in the network, supported by project manager Jolika Sudermann-van den Berg.

commitment to accessibility

The test office in Teltow not only committed itself to the everyday requirements of the light language, but also works on projects of considerable social influence. A remarkable example is the revision of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities in easy language. The customers of the test office include the castle foundation, various parties and consumer advice centers, which shows how valuable the offer is for numerous institutions.

Important principles of the light language include the use of short sentences, simple words and the waiver of foreign words. In addition, a supporting visualization is sought through images. These guidelines are particularly important because they not only help people with disabilities, but also make relatives of dementia patients, non-parent speakers and people with reading and spelling weakness.

The future of light language

On the occasion of the international day of light language on May 28th, the topic comes into focus again. The potential of making information accessible to everyone has a light language, but the offers in Germany are still inadequate at the moment. According to estimates, around 14 million people need light or simple language, but have no legal claim to it. In this context there is an ongoing discussion about the need for a clear, mandatory legislation on the easy language.

In recent years, more and more institutions have recognized how important it is to offer information in a light language. But implementation remains a challenge. The way of communication must be coordinated closely with the target group, which often consists of people with learning difficulties, intellectual disabilities or little knowledge of German. The way of working and standards of the test office in Teltow are a pioneering example of other facilities on how you can effectively implement light language.

In the future, it remains crucial to sharpen the sensitivity in dealing with the easy language and further expand the existing offers. The Easy Language network based in Berlin is actively committed to ensuring that light language is viewed than a right for everyone and continues to become more important.

To learn more about the test office in Teltow, visit the pages of rbb24 , Diakonissenhaus and Deutschlandfunk .