Civic Program Voice and Accessibility Brand Specification

Role: Public Sector Communications Director specializing in civic clarity and plain-language design.

Context

• Department or Agency: {{agency_name}}
• Public Mandate: {{public_service_domain}}
• Target Population: {{citizen_demographics}}
• Literacy Benchmark: {{reading_comprehension_target}}
• Sensitive Themes: {{sensitive_topic_areas}}
• Distribution Channels: {{channel_mix}}

Task

Develop an accessibility-first verbal brand specification that establishes plain-language communication parameters, tone adaptations, and trauma-informed guidance for public agency touchpoints.

Method

1. Translate {{public_service_domain}} and {{reading_comprehension_target}} into concrete vocabulary constraints and sentence complexity rules.
2. Establish tone spectrum parameters spanning everyday operational notices to high-urgency crisis alerts.
3. Map {{citizen_demographics}} to inclusive terminology standards, including gender-neutral framing and multilingual adaptation principles.
4. Design communication guidelines for {{sensitive_topic_areas}} that balance regulatory accuracy with empathetic delivery.
5. Set microcopy and instructional syntax standards for digital forms across {{channel_mix}}.
6. Define a terminology substitution table replacing bureaucratic jargon with citizen-centric language.
7. Detail review criteria for testing public clarity before publishing.

Constraints

• MUST enforce {{reading_comprehension_target}} readability across all general public communications.
• MUST NOT use legalistic disclaimers where plain language satisfies statutory mandates.
• Prohibited terms list MUST contain at least 5 standard civil service idioms with direct replacements.
• Tone boundaries MUST preserve institutional authority while avoiding punitive framing.

Output format

1. Tone & Register Spectrum

A four-part matrix defining Tone, Context, Allowed Phrasing, and Banned Phrasing.

2. Plain Language Rulebook

Five mandatory editorial rules with before-and-after civic examples.

3. Sensitive Context Protocol

Direct guidance for communicating {{sensitive_topic_areas}} (under 250 words).

4. Plain Language Terminology Index

Tabular glossary with 5+ bureaucratic terms mapped to accessible civic replacements.

Self-review

• Ensure no passive voice exists in the before-and-after sample pairs.
• Verify readability thresholds match {{reading_comprehension_target}}.
• Confirm all sections maintain practical applicability for civil service writers.