2026 Volume 27 Issue Paper Pages 63-74
In Germany, two distinct linguistic approaches exist: einfache Sprache, corresponding to plain language, and Leichte Sprache, aligned with easy language or “easy to read and understand,” with particular consideration for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Notably, Leichte Sprache includes a rule that content must be reviewed by persons with intellectual disabilities. This paper examines the concept of “Heiina-Kotoba” as a form of universal design in communication, focusing on a collaborative initiative between the local Lebenshilfe association and the Adult Education Center in Bamberg. It reconsiders the meaning of plain and easy language as referenced in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and demonstrates that such practices can function as a social apparatus that promotes awareness of majority privilege and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
