Tools for Overcoming Oppression: Plain Language and Human-Centered Design for Social Justice

Background:
Technical and professional communication (TPC) audiences are increasingly international and intercultural. Some of these audiences, such as US asylum applicants, may be vulnerable and suffering trauma following violations of their human rights and dignity.
Literature review:
TPC has the potential to either intensify the oppression previously experienced by these audiences or empower them to act for their own well-being. Therefore, technical and professional instructors and practitioners have an ethical responsibility to communicate with these audiences through methods that are socially just.
Research questions:
1. Are the language and design strategies in the I-589 application and instructions appropriate for their audience from an HCD perspective? 2. If not, how can the documents be revised to correct any failings in the pursuit of social justice?
Research methodology:
This article uses adapted plain language guidelines combined with human-centered design guiding principles to perform a qualitative document analysis and explore revisions of the application and instructions.
Results:
Analysis shows that the I-589 documents are not appropriate for their audience and proposes revisions to correct major issues.
Conclusions:
The findings of this analysis demonstrate a need for continued integration of plain language and human-centered design in practice and pedagogy, research surrounding the ways in which technical and professional communicators should balance the needs of vulnerable audiences with the interests of powerful stakeholders, and meaningful collaboration between them and government institutions.