Hello everyone,

One of the best research articles about the role and field testing of illustrations with which I'm familiar is the following: 

Shea J, Aguirre A, Sabatini J, Weiner J, Schaffer M, Asch D. Developing an Illustrated Version of the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans (CAHPS). Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 2005. 31(1):32-42.

The article deals with a particularly challenging issue - how to illustrate survey concepts so that limited literacy populations can fully participate in sharing their opinions about their healthcare experiences. The article includes many illustrations and shows how concepts were translated into visuals that most can understand. 

One other resource that I recommend in my plain language workshops is this text:
Lohr, Linda. Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance. Lessons in Visual Literacy. New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003. ISBN: 0-13-090712-X.

All of the discussions and recommendations in this text are not relevant for audiences with limited literacy skills. However, the principles and illustrations will give you a good start on understanding how graphics "work" to create meaning (or not).

Sue Stableford

Sue Stableford, MPH, MSB, Director
AHEC Health Literacy Center
University of New England
11 Hills Beach Rd.
Biddeford, Maine 04005
Tel: 207-602-2205
email: sstableford at une.edu
www.HealthLiteracyInstitute.net
www.ClearLanguageGroup.com