What comes to mind when you think of workplace accessibility? For many, an accessible workplace means wheelchair ramps and elevators; quiet spaces without distractions or sensory overload; or flexible hours and/or the option to work remotely. As important as all of these are, clear written and verbal communication is just as essential. Grammarly’s 2024 State of Business Communication report found that employees spend about half their workweek on writing tasks, and 88% of the workweek communicating across multiple channels. That includes employees who are neurodivergent, who comprise an estimated 15-20% of the global population, and 20% of the U.S. workforce. Meanwhile, approximately 40 million U.S. adults have dyslexia, which creates challenges with speaking, reading, and spelling. Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also struggle with readability due to mental fatigue from large, dense text blocks, cluttered layouts, jarring graphic elements, complex, abstract language, and other roadblocks.
The good news is that readability can be enhanced in many ways, including clean typography, clear layout structure, and avoiding convoluted jargon. Developments in technology are also making a difference. For example, neurodivergent individuals can now use bionic reading, which bolds the first few letters of words to guide the eyes and speed up reading; BeeLine Reader, which applies a color gradient to text that transitions smoothly from one line to the next, preventing line skipping; Helperbird, which allows users to change fonts to OpenDyslexic, adjust word spacing, and add overlays; text-to-speech programs like Speechify and NaturalReader; and much more. For employers concerned about expense, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) found that 61% of workplace accommodations cost employers nothing, while accommodations that do require a financial investment have a median one-time cost of just $300.
The Business Case for Improving Readability and Inclusion in General
Along with the low cost of providing readability tools, the business case for improving readability and inclusion overall is compelling. A Neuroinclusion at Work Study by CIPD found that 63% of companies with neuroinclusive hiring practices saw improvements in overall employee wellbeing. Meanwhile, 55% observed stronger company culture, and 53% reported better people management. Teams with neurodivergent employees have also been found to be up to 30% more productive in certain roles, with a 90% retention rate, according to research from Harvard Business Review. Equipping neurodivergent employees with tools that improve readability creates a feeling of acceptance and inclusion in the workplace, which in turn enhances productivity and creates an incentive for employees to stay in their current roles.
Improving readability and written and verbal communication might sound like minor adjustments, but they can have a transformative impact. As Lindsay Kramer writes for Grammarly: “Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and fosters a collaborative environment, which makes it easier for people to connect, problem-solve, and work together effectively.” Kramer also pushes back against the misconception that plain language is too informal or unprofessional, or that more complex language equals greater expertise. “Simple language is not inherently unprofessional,” she writes, “nor is it inherently casual.” On the contrary, it “maintains an authoritative, professional tone without using complex words or sentences.”
In an article for LinkedIn, Nick Babich, an expert in UX design, echoes Kramer’s message about the importance of readability by noting that written language makes up around 95% of workplace content. Babich offers several suggestions for how readability can be enhanced, such as using headings (H1, H2, H3) to create individual sections and guide readers through them; writing shorter sentences made up of 15-20 words per sentence; using bullet points and numbered lists; and adding callouts/quotes to emphasize critical information. To improve content flow, Babich suggests using an inverted pyramid style, with the most important information at the top to maximize its visibility; ensuring that the first sentences of paragraphs summarize the main point or create context; writing short paragraphs of 3-4 sentences; and breaking up text with relevant visuals to avoid walls of text. He also recommends using sans-serif fonts for body text, using 16px or larger for body text to improve legibility, and keeping paragraph spacing between .75x and 1.25x of the type size. These simple steps can dramatically boost readability even without more advanced tools and technology, although they should be provided as well.
Improving Readability Through Accessible Design
Another practical, viable avenue for enhancing readability is accessible design. Dating back to the 1970s, accessible design involves designing products, services, devices, and environments specifically for people with disabilities. The concept is similar to universal design, which seeks to make workplaces, schools, devices, and public spaces fully accessible for everyone to the greatest possible extent, especially for people with disabilities/neurodivergence.
In her article “No One Compliments Accessible Design”, Michelle Passaro of Specialisterne notes that accessible design isn’t as widely known or talked about as it should be, despite its practicality and value in improving neurodiverse employment. “When I first started working at Specialisterne, I had never even heard the term “accessible design”, Passaro writes. “It was not something I learned in school or something I was asked to think about in my early design work.” She adds that rather than being an afterthought, accessibility has become the starting point for inclusion. Like Kramer and Babich, Passaro stresses that plain, clear language is the foundation of workplace accessibility. Just as importantly, she emphasizes that accessible design isn’t just for designers, but for everyone who shares and creates content. “Every sentence, heading, and structural choice either reduces friction or adds to it,” she writes. “When accessibility is treated as a shared responsibility, content becomes easier to use for everyone.”
To improve clear language, Passaro recommends using short sentences and familiar words; bullet points instead of long paragraphs; clear intent and active voice; and acronyms explained the first time they appear. She also points out that many readability/accessibility issues stem from missing structure, rather than color or contrast.
As vital as it is to ensure readability and clear communication in the workplace, making those adjustments doesn’t need to be a huge, immediate overhaul. As Passaro astutely points out, accessible design isn’t about perfection. Instead, it’s about “making thoughtful choices that help more people use what you create. Small changes in how you write, structure, and design content can make a real difference.” By implementing those small but significant changes, companies can see huge benefits in enhancing their workplace culture, especially for the millions of employees who are neurodivergent. In 2026, it’s time to utilize developments in technology and improve readability for everyone.
Sources:
Grammarly. “The 2024 State of Business Communication Report: What You Need to Know.” Grammarly Business, 19 Nov. 2024, www.grammarly.com/business/learn/introducing-2024-state-of-business-communication/.
Kramer, Lindsay. “A Guide to Using Plain Language at Work.” Grammarly, 22 Feb. 2023, www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-techniques/plain-language/.
Job Accommodation Network. “Cost and Benefits of Accommodations.” JAN, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, 17 Sept. 2025, askjan.org/topics/costs.cfm.
Everway. “5 Key Factors in Designing an Effective Neurodiversity Program.” Everway, 20 Aug. 2025, www.everway.com/blog/5-key-factors-in-designing-an-effective-neurodiversity-program/.
Velázquez, Francisco, and Katey Treloar. “The Business Case for Neurodiversity in the Workplace.” Spokane Journal of Business, 4 Dec. 2025, www.spokanejournal.com/articles/17699-the-business-case-for-neurodiversity.
Passaro, Michelle. “No One Compliments Accessible Design. That’s the Point.” Specialisterne USA, 20 May 2026, us.specialisterne.com/no-one-compliments-accessible-design-thats-the-point/.
