17 - Clear and accessible parliamentary language
Brief description of the commitment: Outreach and literacy workshops in plain language will be held across the country to promote understanding of parliamentary work. Additionally, the House of Representatives' website and official social media channels will be published in clear and accessible language so that citizens can understand legislative processes in user-friendly and easy-to-read formats.
Organization leading the commitment: House of Representatives – Senate – Legislative Branch.
Supporting institution/organization: Administrative Commission - Legislative Branch, Uruguayan Network of Clear Legal Language (Milestone 1).
Responsible for the commitment: Virginia Cáceres, Deputy Secretary of the House of Representatives, vcaceres@diputados.gub.uy; Juan Pedro Lista, Director General of the Senate. Contact: jlista@parlamento.gub.uy.
Responsible for monitoring: Doris Muñíz Varela, Director of the Committees Area, dorism@diputados.gub.uy; Caterina Di Salvatore, IT Advisor to the Senate. Contact: cdisalvatore@parlamento.gub.uy.
Stakeholders
- Government: Legislative Branch, Ministry of Social Development (MIDES), Congress of Mayors.
- Civil Society: Citizens in general.
- Other actors: Public and private universities in the country.
Implementation period: September 2025 – December 2028.
Problem definition
What problem does the commitment intend to address?
The House of Representatives works diligently to address the various concerns of the public and makes information about its activities available through several channels. The entire legislative process can be followed on the Parliament's website, plenary sessions can be viewed live (on YouTube and Anteltv) with sign language interpretation provided in picture- format, and there is even interaction through social media. However, these publications are not always written in clear and accessible language, so comprehension for all citizens cannot be guaranteed.
What are the causes of the problem?
The main reason for creating this commitment is the lack of tools that allow the House of Representatives' publications to be included in formats accessible to the different needs of the population.
Description of the commitment
What has been done so far to solve the problem?
From an institutional perspective that is committed to inclusion, transparency and equitable access to information, the House of Representatives has been developing a series of concrete actions that reflect its willingness to bring parliamentary work closer to all citizens.
One of the most significant initiatives has been the incorporation of Uruguayan Sign Language interpretation during the broadcasts of plenary sessions. As part of its commitment to clear communication, the House has also assumed an active role as a founding member of the Uruguayan Network for Clear Legal Language, an inter-institutional forum that promotes the use of understandable language in legal texts and public communications related to law.
Internally in the Parliament, an institutional project has been launched to incorporate plain language into parliamentary management, promoting that legislative content is accessible to all audiences, without losing technical rigor or legal value.
What solution does it propose?
The following actions are proposed:
- To develop a Plain Language Manual, train the institution's staff in its application, and implement its use in all communication tasks related to legislative work.
- To organize talks and workshops in coordination with the Departmental Governments, aimed at the dissemination and correct use of the clear and accessible language manual.
What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?
The main results expected to be achieved are:
- To ensure that citizens have access to communications about parliamentary activity in formats that are accessible and understandable to all audiences.
- That this access promotes citizen participation and collaboration in legislative activity.
Commitment analysis
How will the commitment promote transparency?
The information provided by the House will be presented in clear and accessible language.
How will the commitment help foster accountability?
Giving greater visibility to legislative actions will result in a greater understanding of legislative work by citizens.
How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?
A deeper understanding of legislative work by more citizens will promote interest in participating in issues that concern them.
| Milestone | Milestone description | Expected result | Completion date | Leading institution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Survey of the current situation regarding plain language in the publications of the House of Representatives. | Diagnostic report. | December 2025 | House of Representatives Senate |
| 2 | Plain Language Manual | Launch of the Manual through an official presentation. Dissemination of the Manual. | June 2026 | House of Representatives Senate |
| 3 | Training for officials in the use of the Clear and Accessible Language Manual. | Training program designed and implemented. | October 2026 | House of Representatives Senate |
4
| Implementation of clear and accessible language in all communications made by Parliament. | Clear language used on social media and the website. | December 2026 | House of Representatives Senate |
| 5 | Incorporation of accessible formats. | Mechanisms for displaying information in accessible format on social media and on the website. | December 2027 | House of Representatives Senate |
| 6 | Dissemination and training on the Plain and Accessible Language Manual. | Locations selected to conduct the pilot workshops in coordination with the Departmental Governments. Three pilot workshops in different locations across the country. Dissemination plan implemented. | December 2028 | House of Representatives Senate |