TESTIMONIALS

What training participants say

From training for a City Communications Division and Parks and Recreation Department:

Lee made this training approachable and fun. It helped me realize how important language is to equity and accessibility. This topic is applicable for all aspects of my personal and professional life.

The training offered by Lee was eye-opening. The strategies he shared regarding ways to communicate more effectively with all members of the community were thoughtful and inspiring, yet simple and easy to understand. 

Simplify Language is an easy resource to improve connections with community members. Government work is complicated - how we talk about it can make it easier.

​

I really appreciated diving into the topic immediately and providing real examples (from City of Boulder work) to modify and make simpler. 

​

It is such a simple concept and I have never even thought about it. I really appreciate taking a moment to pause, and think about the outcomes of my language on others. 

​

I learned that I need to intentionally simplify language based on the audience. Sometimes I take for granted that people understand what I've shared and that might not be the case. 

​

From training at the University of Colorado:

​

I learned a new way of thinking about how I interact with non-native English speakers and I liked that the training was challenging and made you think. It was also fun and engaging. - Employee Engagement Director

​

The training teaches how to reach every level of communication by breaking down our speech patterns into their simplest form without dumbing it down. It made our class realize our speech/writing habits could cause more confusion than there needed to be. I believe this training is necessary in any organization where people communicate (written or verbal) with one another. -  HR Manager

​

Lee did his homework for sure on our organization. - Dining Services Director

​

From training for a School District Communications Team:

​

I really enjoyed how interactive and personal the training was. I appreciated that some of the examples were pulled directly from our work because it makes it more personal and applicable. The biggest takeaway for me was learning that by simplifying work in English, that will automatically simplify the work in Spanish as well. One of my biggest hurdles is being able to push out communication in Spanish that actually makes sense to our community. Now I know that it can all start from simplifying the English version.

The Simplify Language principles are going to make me reconsider every sentence I write from now on. I will work to take out unnecessary words and get to the core message of what I'm trying to communicate.

Oh my gosh! I realized how often I used the "jargon" language like "wrap your head around it", etc... I really appreciated the opportunity to practice and hear how others would change the same paragraph/sentence. We have a lot of room to grow.

I loved the practice - the simple tools to use sheet and the discussion about how we communicate can impact different members of our community.

It introduced a whole new way for me to look at writing. I learned that using fancier words or expanding on a topic doesn't necessarily make a message better or clearer.

​

Other testimonials from recent trainees:

​

The feeling in the break room has shifted in the most beautiful way. There was always a friendly nature to things but now people are making a true effort to connect and those folks who normally keep to themselves are smiling and finding little points of connection. Also, folks are really leaning in on flexing their non-native language skills. There’s a lightness and care that you helped us cultivate. THANK YOU!! What a gift. - Stacey Marcellus, Founder of Cappello's

​

Simplify Language has been an incredible addition to our program. Looking at the communication we put out, in a new way, has helped us to be more accessible and equitable. I have appreciated Lee's approach in teaching and the fun and interactive way he guides us through lessons. I am so happy that we have Simplify Language in our toolbox. - Boulder County Head Start Education Services Manager, Stacy Fujieda

​

Learning how to reduce jargon and articulate our message in more easily understandable language will improve our communications and our overall impact. This is an actionable piece of equity that is low cost and high impact; all organizations will benefit from doing this. - Manager of Administration and Grants, Montgomery Coalition for Adult Education Literacy, Tom C.

​

I attended Lee's training, and I love that the strategies he teaches can be applied immediately. So often professional development fails to take participants from theory to practice.  Lee nailed it! - VP Programming, Seeds of Literacy, Dr. Carmine Stewart

We applied the skills we learned by editing a document from our program, which was great practice and also helped us to see how much we can improve with new knowledge, perspective, and skills. Since the training, I have been much more aware of my language and am already seeing how my communication and relationships have improved. Education Manager, Head Start, Liz

​

I learned that the writing style we often use in our organization can be somewhat exclusive in that we use complicated words and sentence structures. Philanthropiece, Jake

​

I learned how to think differently about my spoken language. - Health Clinic in Milwaukee

This was very helpful to get me to simplify my speaking and writing skills to improve communication. - Google participant

​

Everyone should take this training and make it a priority. One is sending and receiving so many messages throughout the day, everyday. With these tools one makes sure to be understood and inclusive. I've acquired an irreversible awareness which will support my communication! - Needle and Frame, Andrea

​