Readability and Actionability of Information Presented on a University Communication Disorders Clinic Website

Purpose: This article is intended to serve as a tutorial for communication disorders clinics, especially clinics associated with universities, that are interested in evaluating their websites for readability. By applying the tools described here, clinic personnel can assess how appropriate their web content is for individuals who have low health literacy skills. Method: We first present background information about individual and organizational health literacy, as well as research regarding health literacy burden of health-related websites. We then discuss elements of readability and present a range of existing, free tools for evaluating health resources. Finally, we give as a case study our evaluation of the readability of the communication disorders clinic website at our university. Conclusions: With a vision to “make effective communication a human right, accessible and achievable for all,” the field of communication sciences and disorders is especially well equipped to effectively serve clients who have low health literacy skills. This service includes ensuring that health information on clinic websites is understandable. The tools described in this article provide highly usable and readily accessible means for clinic personnel and website developers to assess their own web content and identify potential areas of improvement.