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Guidance on building better digital services in government
The design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities
Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s the law. The guidance, resources, and community you find here will help you deliver accessible digital products and services in the federal government.
This site provides guidance for federal agencies on several topics in IT accessibility, including creating accessible websites and documents, accessibility testing, accessibility training, and accessibility in contracting and procurement.
Accessibility is one of the most important values underlying all the work that we do. This is a deeper look into accessibility: what to do, how to do it, and why it matters, especially in government.
A quick-start guide for embedding accessibility and inclusive design practices into your team’s workflow.
The federal website standards help agencies provide high-quality, consistent digital experiences for everyone. They cover common visual technical elements and reflect user experience best practices.
Learn how the U.S. Web Design System uses accessibility in its design language, components, guidance, and layouts.
In a recent governmentwide community discussion, we shared tips to remediate the use of PDFs on government websites, focusing on balancing needs, choosing formats, starting fixes, and ensuring documents are accessible for everyone.
The FY 2024 Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment highlights progress and ongoing challenges in federal digital accessibility efforts. This assessment provides key findings on governmentwide accessibility maturity and actionable recommendations. The recommendations include stronger enforcement of 508 standards, increased resourcing, and integrating accessibility into the technology lifecycle to enhance compliance and access for all. — via General Services Administration
Usability reflects how easily a user can accomplish their goals while using a product or service. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has issued new guidance to streamline usability testing for federal forms, websites, and services, helping agencies conduct usability tests in a more quick and efficient manner that is consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). By enabling faster, more effective testing, OIRA aims to enhance public interactions with the government and ensure equitable access to federal resources. — via The White House
The Technology Transformation Services (TTS) made significant strides to prioritize and improve federal digital services in FY 2024. From expanding Login.gov to over 72 million users, launching tools like Notify.gov, or redesigning Vote.gov in 19 languages, explore how TTS continues to set the standard for impactful civic tech innovation. — via General Services Administration
The Open Data, Design, and Development team at the Office of Natural Resource and Revenue (ONRR) successfully added federal sales data to the Natural Resources Revenue Data (NRRD) platform using design studios and user testing to create a user-centered dataset. By involving subject matter experts and refining prototypes through feedback, the team delivered the project ahead of schedule while meeting user needs. Future plans included additional usability testing and expanding stakeholder engagement. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Learn how to implement 21st Century IDEA to design and deliver better websites and digital services.
An overview of how to design and deliver accessible digital products and services in the federal government
A deeper look at accessibility: what to do, how to do it, and why it matters.
Multilingual resources to standardize the use of various languages across government.
Learn how to implement Section 508, and strengthen and maintain your agency’s commitment to digital accessibility.
This event recap highlights best practices, a short case study video, and examples of federal web content that received both high and low scores in the 2021 Plain Language Report Card.
Use both manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites.
Report: Assessment of compliance with Section 508 requirements.
Provides requirements and recommendations to support agency integration of digital accessibility into their missions and operations, helping government technology and information resources better serve a diverse public and federal workforce.
A resource to help federal employees write in plain language and comply with the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
The primary regulation for use by all executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds. The FAR also contains standard solicitation provisions and contract clauses and the various agency FAR supplements.
Agency Section 508 Program Managers (PMs) are your first point of contact for questions about IT accessibility.
These FAR Council updates are effective as of September 10, 2021.
Guidance on implementing Executive Order (14035) on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce; specifically, elements of the Accessibility Roadmap outlined in the Government-wide DEIA Strategic Plan.
ART is a multifaceted tool that offers interactive, step-by-step guidance on how to determine applicable accessibility requirements.
This subpart implements section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 d), and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s (U.S. Access Board) information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194.1.
Tips for making online information accessible for those with auditory and visual needs.
Guidance to help federal agencies improve accessibility to increase compliance with federal policy.
A design system for the federal government that makes it easier to build accessible, mobile-friendly government websites for the American public.
A design system for the federal government that makes it easier to build accessible, mobile-friendly government websites for the American public.
Follow the Revised 508 Standards to ensure your information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
This quick reference guide will help you meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. It is a customizable quick reference to the requirements, success criteria and techniques.
The Section 508 Standard for Electronic and Information Technology requires that when a federal agency shares information digitally, individuals with disabilities seeking information or services from a federal agency, must have access to and be able to use the information and data, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
Government agencies are increasingly using social media to engage with citizens, share information and deliver services more quickly and effectively than ever before. But as social content, data and platforms become more diverse, agencies have a responsibility to ensure these digital services are accessible to all citizens, including people with disabilities.
A resource for developing accessible products.
A guide to making products more accessible for everyone.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Web “content” generally refers to the information in a web page or web application, including: natural information such as text, images, and sounds code or markup that defines structure, presentation, etc. View the Web Accessibility Guidelines
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In a recent governmentwide community discussion, we shared tips to remediate the use of PDFs on government websites, focusing on balancing needs, choosing formats, starting fixes, and ensuring documents are accessible for everyone.
The FY 2024 Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment highlights progress and ongoing challenges in federal digital accessibility efforts. This assessment provides key findings on governmentwide accessibility maturity and actionable recommendations. The recommendations include stronger enforcement of 508 standards, increased resourcing, and integrating accessibility into the technology lifecycle to enhance compliance and access for all. — via General Services Administration
Usability reflects how easily a user can accomplish their goals while using a product or service. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has issued new guidance to streamline usability testing for federal forms, websites, and services, helping agencies conduct usability tests in a more quick and efficient manner that is consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). By enabling faster, more effective testing, OIRA aims to enhance public interactions with the government and ensure equitable access to federal resources. — via The White House
The Technology Transformation Services (TTS) made significant strides to prioritize and improve federal digital services in FY 2024. From expanding Login.gov to over 72 million users, launching tools like Notify.gov, or redesigning Vote.gov in 19 languages, explore how TTS continues to set the standard for impactful civic tech innovation. — via General Services Administration
The Open Data, Design, and Development team at the Office of Natural Resource and Revenue (ONRR) successfully added federal sales data to the Natural Resources Revenue Data (NRRD) platform using design studios and user testing to create a user-centered dataset. By involving subject matter experts and refining prototypes through feedback, the team delivered the project ahead of schedule while meeting user needs. Future plans included additional usability testing and expanding stakeholder engagement. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Creating quality digital content is not a one-time endeavor. Explore these approaches to managing and improving excellent digital content over time.
Government works best when it incorporates transparent engagement and feedback from the public. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is enhancing public participation in federal decision-making through draft guidance and a proposed toolkit. These resources aim to standardize best practices, improve accessibility, and ensure underserved communities have meaningful opportunities to contribute. By prioritizing transparency and collaboration, OMB seeks to create politics that reflect the voices and needs of the public. — via Performance.gov
Vote.gov partnered with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to create an accessible tool for filling out the National Mail Voter Registration Form. It simplifies the process with features like screen reader compatibility, mobile-friendly design, and state-specific instructions. Available in English and Spanish, the tool reduces errors and helps state election offices process forms more efficiently, making voter registration easier for everyone. — via USA.gov
Testing for accessibility ensures that digital services are usable for everyone. Explore how the Office of Natural Resources and Revenue (ONRR) streamlined their manual testing process with plain language instructions to create a more uniform testing methodology across their agency. By balancing detail with usability and continually updating resources, ONRR empowers both their small team and subject matter experts to meet Section 508 compliance. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Get an overview of what user research and user testing are in a federal context. Learn what policies apply and what resources are available.
Learn how the U.S. General Services Administration is tackling the 100+ requirements of OMB memo M-23-22, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience.
Planning for accessibility is critical to creating more inclusive digital experiences. Discover how developers and accessibility specialists from USA.gov collaborate early in the development process to ensure that their government websites are accessible for everyone. By following established accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, USA.gov proactively reduces the need for later fixes. — via USA.gov
Discover how USA.gov tailors its benefit finder experience for both English and Spanish-speaking users through culturally nuanced content. Through dual-track language research, a bilingual support team, and A/B testing, USA.gov ensures that more users receive relevant, empathetic, and user-friendly content. The USA.gov team also identified and addressed recruitment challenges to interatively improve its ongoing research processes. — via USA.gov
Memo M-23-22 from the Office of Management and Budget provides guidance to federal agencies on delivering a digital-first public experience. To quantify its compliance with the memo, the Open Data, Design, and Development team at the Department of the Interior created and conducted a self-assessment of its digital products. The team used a scoring spreadsheet to measure compliance across categories like accessibility, design consistency, and mobile responsiveness. The results helped the team develop a plan to prioritize improvements and engage with leadership for support on other initiatives. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
USA.gov and 10x recently partnered to develop a new user research recruitment page. The page launched in February 2024 and has attracted hundreds of sign-ups. It allows participants to assist in testing government websites for compensation, and helps teams find participants that match needed demographics. By simplifying the process and expanding recruitment of diverse populations, the initiative aims to support and streamline user research. It plans to add recruitment opportunities in additional languages and recruit more specific audiences for future studies. — via USA.gov
The User Experience (UX) team at USA.gov’s Public Experience Portfolio recently conducted a study to analyze the experiences of individuals who access USA.gov through assistive technology. The team partnered with a local organization to gather insights from a diverse group of participants, many of whom are blind or deaf. The study revealed various habits and challenges faced by these users, such as a preference for mobile sites, difficulty with website carousels, and a reliance on clear headings and action-oriented descriptions. These findings can guide improvements in accessibility, such as clever link labeling and better navigation aids for assistive technology users. — via USA.gov
To help agencies evaluate the accessibility of their digital products, GSA is making it easier to create Accessibility Conformance Reports through its new OpenACR Editor.
The summit highlighted digital transformation, emphasizing the significance of recent OMB memos for improving accessibility and customer experience.
More Veterans are turning to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for healthcare and benefits, accessing these services online through tools like the VA Health and Benefits mobile app and VA.gov. With over 2.28 million app downloads and 17.8 million monthly visitors on VA.gov, these digital tools provide faster, easier, and more inclusive access to VA services. Learn more about how these technologies are often Veterans’ first interaction with VA by watching their latest video, Digital Front Door: Expanding Access to VA. — via U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The federal government is actively discussing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). It has the potential to transform our digital service delivery, automate tasks, and enhance data analysis. However, AI also presents challenges and risks such as bias and ethical concerns. The team at 18F provides a quick overview of AI, its place in government today, and the techniques and frameworks they are currently using to navigate this complex new landscape. — via 18F
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An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration
