The municipality of Velsen will use more understandable language when letters are sent to residents. The municipality has signed the ‘Direct Clear Deal’. This was also very much needed, as it turned out this week.
Low literacy – NH News
Nota bene in the week of illiteracy, the municipality distributed a letter about recycling waste that was unclear to many citizens.
Many questions came in, because many people did not understand the letter.
The readers’ panel that checks letters from the municipality for language use, led by alderman Marianne Steijn, is concerned. “Many people think they should pay more,” said the alderman. “But that is not the case. So it has become clear that our message did not get across well. And that in the week in which reading and writing are central. It really has to be different.”
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Steijn was already aware of the confusion that the municipality has caused with the letter, but was confronted even more by Theo Warmenhoven during the signing in the library.
Warmenhoven has low literacy and has reading lessons in the library once a week. “I don’t understand the letter at all,” he says. “Then something does not go well,” the alderman puts on the fine cloth. “But not everything goes bad,” she continues. “Communication has improved in many areas. We are taking it very seriously, but it is a long process.”
Living with illiteracy
Theo Warmenhoven has learned to live with his low literacy, although it is not always easy. Contact with government agencies is especially difficult for the former boxer. Warmenhoven: “My wife used to do everything. Since her death I have had to learn to grow my own beans. That is difficult. Fortunately, I have fantastic daughters who help me. However, I sometimes find myself alone. Then I receive a letter stating I don’t understand anything, such as this one about recycling waste. I prefer to call, because I can’t send an email. But sometimes there is not even a telephone number on such a letter. It is desperately needed that that improves.”
Marianne Steijn nods in agreement. “I am an idealist, but reducing complaints to zero will not work. It is important that we continue to talk to each other. That we continue to check the letters. And in this way we eventually come to the moment when we have perhaps eighty percent fewer complaints. to have.”