NALA — the National Adult Literacy Agency — is Ireland’s leading organisation working to improve literacy and numeracy for adults. For decades, NALA has championed plain language as a tool for inclusion, working to ensure that public information, official documents, and services are accessible to everyone regardless of literacy level.
Their approach combines direct support for learners through free phone tutoring and online platforms, with advocacy and capacity building for organisations that want to communicate more clearly. Their e-learning tools and free resources have reached thousands of people across Ireland.
NALA received the Cheryl Stephens Innovation Award at Brussels 2025 in recognition of their innovative approaches to plain language learning — combining digital platforms, blended learning, and human support to remove barriers and support participation.
Their work demonstrates how plain language and literacy are inseparable — and how investing in clear communication is an investment in social inclusion.
