Definition:
Legibility requirement refers to the expectation that individuals present themselves in ways that are readable to institutional systems in order to access rights, services, or legitimacy.
Usage Context:
Seen in benefits assessments, medical diagnoses, workplace evaluations, education systems, and platform verification processes.
Critical Note:
Legibility requirements place the burden of translation on individuals. Complexity, nuance, and fluctuation are penalised even when they reflect reality.