How do I write an accessibility statement without using technical terms?
Maybe that's the wrong mindset. You don't have to strip out every technical word in your accessibility statement. Your goal is clarity, simplicity and honesty.
Some terms need a little bit of context or explanation. Others are well-understood, so use them.
If you can say it plainly, say it plainly. I'd rather read that your website works with screen readers instead of embellishing it by calling screen readers "assistive technology screen reader software." No kidding, I've seen this.
Don't treat your readers like they've never heard the word "keyboard" or "contrast." Most people have enough context to follow along if you're not burying them in acronyms.
So don't avoid jargon. It's to explain a term once and then use it freely for the rest of the statement. If you want to explain WCAG, call them international standards for web accessibility. Simple. After you've used it once and defined it briefly, you're free to reference it again without slowing down.
Here's a list of terms that I think are safe to use in an accessibility statement without explanation:
- Screen reader
- Keyboard navigation
- Captions
- Alt text
- Contrast
- Font size
- Links
- Forms
Some terms need a brief explanation the first time you use them:
- WCAG
- ARIA
- Assistive technology
- Conformance levels (A, AA, AAA)
These lists are not exhaustive of course.
So going back to the original question.
Write like you're talking to a smart person who might be new to accessibility. That's it.