This early version of the EAPM Style and Accessibility Guide is being released on desktop and mobile after more than a year of development.

Join us for the official launch from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 18 at our discussion, News for all: the standard for accessible journalism.

Registration is free, though we appreciate a $15 donation.

This style guide was built to maintain consistency across EAPM news outlets and media. It was also built to bring accessibility to our written and spoken language.

In 2025, EAPM decided to open the style guide to other news outlets and journalists.

At EAPM, our news outlets and media will adhere to a written and spoken style across our products that aims to be:

• clear;
• concise;
• accurate;
• and understandable.

Because the average American has reached a literacy level no higher than sixth grade, vocabulary and critical thinking skills based on complex information are often also not much higher than the sixth grade level. Therefore, it’s important that news information, whether written or spoken, be presented at that reading, vocabulary, and critical thinking level.

Our exception to this rule comes with our Easy English sections in our news outlets, which should never be presented above a third grade reading, writing, or critical thinking level.

This style guide is built with the idea that journalists should not shy away from presenting complex or difficult information or concepts; rather journalists should explain them. At EAPM, we see journalism process as educative, informative, and accessible while presenting harder information in the news.

We hope this guide helps you become a more accessible journalist.

Is there something missing? Have something to add? Do you have a burning style question? Email style@equalaccesspublicmedia.org.