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Easy-to-Read Language: Accessible Content That Is Truly Understood

Easy-to-read language is not simplified German but a rule set of its own for people with cognitive impairments, learning difficulties and limited German skills. We translate and write your content to the rules of the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache, from €119 per standard page – including editorial review by a second specialist.

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from €119 per standard page Editorial review Own accessibility statement published

In short and in plain language

This page is about easy-to-read language. It has fixed rules. It helps people who find reading hard.

There is also plain language. Its rules are less strict. It helps people with little German, for example.

We write your texts in easy-to-read or plain language. We follow the rules for each. We check each text before we release it.

Not every text needs to be translated. We help you choose. We also add the texts to your website.

The first talk is free. Write to us or give us a call.

Key figures

AAA

level of WCAG criterion 3.1.5 (Reading Level)

B2

max. language level for banking information (Sec. 17 BFSGV)

6.2 m

adults with low literacy (LEO 2018)

BITV 2.0

Duty: easy-to-read language on federal public bodies' home pages (Sec. 4)

Transparency about our own site

We assess our own website against WCAG 2.2 AA ourselves; status and known limitations are set out in our accessibility statement. Since 28 June 2025 the BFSG also applies to private companies; violations can incur fines of up to €100,000 (BFSG Section 37).

Easy-to-read language and plain language are two distinct levels, each with their own target audiences and rule sets. Since 28 June 2025, companies must make the digital products and services for consumers covered by the BFSG accessible – and that includes linguistic accessibility. Focusing solely on technical accessibility overlooks that incomprehensibility is a barrier in its own right. Our accessibility services therefore cover both language levels – from translation through to editorial quality review.

Easy-to-read · to the rule set
A nested sentence becomes clear sentences
One idea per sentence, short words, editorially reviewed
Original text (standard)22 words/sentence
“To make use of the service, the prior electronic submission of all required documents in compliance with the applicable deadlines is mandatory.”
Technical terms6
Nested sentencesyes
ER
Easy-to-readshort sentences
Do you want to use our service? Then send us your documents. Send the documents online. Please pay attention to the deadlines.
One idea per sentenceyes
Editorially reviewedyes
Standard pages12commissioned
Avg. sentence6 wordsrule: short sentences
Rule checkpassedsecond specialist
Sign-off3/3stages
Easy-to-readfrom €119 per standard page
Editorial reviewpassed · verified
Editorial view of an easy-to-read translation: original vs. easy-to-read version and the three-stage quality workflow. Example view – values are illustrative.

Translation into easy-to-read and plain language

from €119 per standard page net (1,800 characters)
  • Plain language €89, easy-to-read language €119 per standard page – each with editorial review
  • Website roll-out incl. analysis, prioritisation and CMS integration
  • Documentation for the accessibility statement included
Request a Free Consultation View all services

A standard page equals 1,800 characters including spaces. Minimum order €249 net. We clarify scope and a fixed price in a free initial consultation.

Prices as of October 2026.

Easy-to-Read and Plain Language: What Is the Difference?

The terms are frequently confused in everyday use but refer to two clearly distinct concepts. Easy-to-read language (Leichte Sprache) follows the rule set of the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache and targets people with cognitive impairments, intellectual disabilities or very low reading ability. Texts in easy-to-read language use only short sentences with one idea per sentence, frequently used words, concrete rather than abstract phrasing and clarifying images or pictograms. Plain language (Einfache Sprache) follows recommendations from recognised language authorities and targets people with limited German proficiency, migration backgrounds, lower levels of formal education or temporary cognitive load (stress, illness, fatigue). Plain language is less restrictive than easy-to-read language but avoids technical jargon, passive constructions, complex sentences and unnecessary nominalisations. Both levels are relevant in the context of the BFSG and WCAG 3.1.5 (Reading Level).

Easy-to-Read Language

Strict alignment with the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache rule set. Short sentences, one idea per sentence, common words, explanatory images. Target group: people with cognitive impairments and very low reading ability.

Plain Language

Aligned to recognised recommendations. Understandable phrasing without technical terms, short sentences, active constructions. Target group: people with migration backgrounds, lower educational attainment or situational reading difficulties.

Editorial Review

Before release, a second specialist independently reviews every text for rule conformity, linguistic coherence and completeness.

Digital Implementation

Integration into existing CMS systems (WordPress, TYPO3, Contao, Drupal), accessible formatting, accessible images with alt text, structured HTML markup for screen reader compatibility.

BFSG Requirements

Easy-to-read content as part of your strategy for the BFSG requirements. Documentation of implemented measures for the accessibility statement. Transparent to market surveillance authorities as well.

Quality Assurance

Multi-stage quality process: initial creation by trained translators, editorial review and final sign-off. Every text is documented with source document and review record.

Who Needs Easy-to-Read Language?

The BFSG does not explicitly require easy-to-read language, but its benefits extend far beyond legal requirements. The number of users who benefit from understandable language is considerably larger than initially assumed. According to the LEO 2018 study by the University of Hamburg, 12.1 per cent of German-speaking adults aged 18 to 64 have low literacy and significant difficulty reading and comprehending longer texts (LEO 2018). Millions more have migration backgrounds and do not speak German as their first language, and older people may experience reduced reading competence due to age-related changes. Even in stressful situations – such as reading important official correspondence, contractual documents or medical information – everyone benefits from clearly and simply worded content.

WCAG 3.1.5 and BFSG

WCAG success criterion 3.1.5 (Reading Level, Level AAA) recommends that content be understandable at lower secondary education level. For content that exceeds this level, supplemental content or a version that does not require a higher reading level should be available. The BFSG does not adopt this criterion; its implementing regulation has, however, required since 28 June 2025 that information on how a service works be presented in an understandable way (Section 12 BFSGV).

Cleanly integrated into your existing website

Easy-to-read content lives on dedicated subpages that are reachable via clearly worded, consistent links. We format the pages accessibly, set the language markup correctly and link standard and easy-to-read versions without creating duplicate content – ready for a WCAG audit.

  • Dedicated, accessible easy-to-read subpages
  • Unambiguous link text, correct language markup
  • Included in the WCAG audit of your site
Your website · easy-to-read areaembedded
Welcome
This is our website in easy-to-read language. Here you find important information. The information is easy to read.
Read moreRead aloud

Our Services in Detail

We offer services around easy-to-read and plain language – from strategic advice on which content to prioritise, through writing that follows the rules of each language level to integration into your digital infrastructure. Our approach differs from simple text revision in that we address every brief in a structured way: first we analyse the existing content and identify the pages or documents that are most relevant from a legal or strategic perspective. We then create the texts in the appropriate language level, review them editorially and accompany the digital integration. The result is not an isolated easy-to-read silo but an integrated component of your accessibility concept.

We analyse your existing web presence and identify the pages and documents most relevant to legal requirements and your target audiences. We take into account BFSG requirements, WCAG criteria and the specific communication context of your organisation. The result is a prioritised implementation plan.

Not sure which content to translate first?

In a free initial consultation we review your web presence, recommend the right language level and give you a fixed price per standard page.

Request a Free Consultation Call now: +49 5123 9579000

Which Content Should Be Available in Easy-to-Read Language?

Not every piece of content on a website needs to be in easy-to-read language – that would be neither realistic nor purposeful. What matters is strategic prioritisation: which content is indispensable to the core function of the digital offering, and which content is particularly relevant for especially vulnerable user groups? In practice we recommend starting with the most important service information, core offering descriptions and contact routes in easy-to-read language. For websites of public bodies and organisations in the fields of healthcare, education and social services, easy-to-read language has especially high priority.

  • Home page and company description in plain language
  • Product descriptions and service overviews in plain language
  • Contact page and key service information in easy-to-read language
  • Legally relevant information (right of withdrawal, privacy notices) in plain language
  • Navigation labels clearly and understandably worded
  • Error messages and forms in understandable language
  • Accessibility statement also in easy-to-read language
  • PDF documents as accessible alternatives with accessible PDFs

Scope and Limitations: What Easy-to-Read Language Can and Cannot Do

Easy-to-read language is an important component of digital accessibility but not a universal remedy. It does not replace technical accessibility under WCAG but complements it with the linguistic dimension. An easy-to-read text presented on a technically inaccessible page misses its mark: if navigation cannot be operated by keyboard, if images lack alt texts or if colour contrast is insufficient, even the most understandable text will not reach all user groups. That is why we view easy-to-read language as part of a comprehensive BFSG conformity concept that combines technical and content-level accessibility. Equally, easy-to-read language is not a substitute for a screen reader output check or a complete WCAG audit – it is a complementary, standalone service.

Easy-to-Read Language and Accessibility Monitoring

After initial implementation we recommend integrating easy-to-read content into the accessibility monitoring cycle. When the core offering or key service information changes, the easy-to-read versions should be updated promptly to prevent content discrepancies.

Integration into Existing CMS Systems

Technically integrating easy-to-read content into existing websites is a challenge in its own right. Easy-to-read content is typically presented on dedicated subpages that are reachable from the standard version via clearly visible, consistent links. The linking must be accessible: link text must be unambiguous, not generic. We recommend phrasing such as "This page in easy-to-read language" rather than just "Easy-to-read language" so that the context is clear to screen reader users as well.

For implementation in WordPress, TYPO3, Contao, Drupal and Joomla we offer concrete support: from creating suitable page templates with correct semantic markup through configuring language tags to linking between standard and easy-to-read versions. An hreflang annotation does not distinguish the two versions, because it only states language and region and both versions are German; we therefore connect them via clear, reciprocal links. The finished implementation is included in the WCAG audit.

Quality Assurance

Our quality assurance process consists of initial creation, independent editorial review and final sign-off.

Initial Creation

Trained translators create the text in easy-to-read or plain language based on the source material. Each statement is checked for comprehensibility and rule conformity.

Editorial Review

A second specialist independently reviews the text for rule conformity, linguistic coherence and completeness. Discrepancies are corrected.

Sign-off and Documentation

Once the editorial review is passed, we release the text. Every text is documented with source document and review record.

Prices for Easy-to-Read and Plain Language

Prices for Easy-to-Read and Plain Language

Billed per standard page (1,800 characters including spaces), all prices net. We clarify the right language level and scope in advance in a free initial consultation. Minimum order €249 net.

Plain Language

Understandable texts without jargon for people with limited German skills or situational reading difficulties.

€89 /standard page
  • Rule-compliant plain-language rewrite
  • Editorial quality review by a specialist
  • Accessible formatting and structure
  • Ideal for internal documents and service info
Request plain language
Recommended

Easy-to-Read Language

Written to the rules of the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache, including editorial review.

€119 /standard page
  • Strict alignment with the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache rule set
  • Editorial quality review by a specialist
  • Review record for each text
  • Illustration and pictograms on request
  • Documentation for the accessibility statement
Request easy-to-read language

Website Roll-out

Full roll-out across several pages: analysis, prioritisation, translation and accessible integration into your CMS.

on review min. order €249
  • Analysis and prioritisation of the relevant content
  • Translation at the standard-page rate (€89 / €119)
  • Accessible integration into your existing CMS
  • Correct linking and language markup
  • Fixed-price quote after a free consultation
Request a roll-out

All prices net plus VAT. For public tenders and larger projects we prepare a fixed-price quote after review. Review of the texts by the target group is not included.

Sector-Specific Requirements

The relevance of easy-to-read and plain language varies considerably by sector and target audience. In healthcare, understandable language is especially critical for patient information, consent forms and digital appointment booking – here, misunderstandings can have direct health consequences. In the education sector, plain language creates access for learners with different linguistic backgrounds. In e-commerce, understandable language in product descriptions, checkout processes and right-of-withdrawal notices can increase conversion and reduce return rates. Under Section 4 BITV 2.0, federal public bodies must provide explanations in easy-to-read language on their home page; in public procurement for such websites, this requirement therefore belongs in the planning.

Comprehensibility has several layers

Easy-to-read language works best when the presentation fits too: line length, font size and line spacing are covered in the article on typography and readability. To keep new content at the same level, the article on training editorial teams helps. And because images play a central role in easy-to-read texts, the article on images and alt text complements the editorial side.

Key points at a glance

  • Plain language €89, easy-to-read language €119 per standard page (1,800 characters), each with editorial review
  • Easy-to-read language follows a strict rule set – short sentences, one idea per sentence, common words
  • Not every page needs translating: we prioritise your core offering, service information and contact routes
  • The roll-out feeds into your accessibility statement and complements your BFSG implementation
  • Minimum order €249 net; fixed price per project after a free initial consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy-to-Read Language

How the website of a rehabilitation clinic could look

The draft shows structure and handling: departments to switch through, the path from medical report to arrival, a weekly plan and verifiable details on accessibility. The clinic in it is invented.

Draft
Rehabilitation clinic

Rehab clinic with application path and verifiable details

A draft for a rehabilitation clinic: three departments can be switched through, and the path from the medical report through the application to the funding body up to the arrival day is set out in four steps. A week in the house is shown as a daily plan, alongside rooms, visiting hours and support for relatives. The accessibility section states door widths, lift dimensions and call systems instead of a blanket assurance.

DepartmentsApplication pathWeekly planVerifiable measurements

Illustrative layout drafts. The businesses shown are fictitious; these are not client projects.

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