Accessibility

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.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Accessibility: essential knowledge

  • Section508.gov

    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.

  • Best practices for writing for the accessible web

    Tips for making online information accessible for those with auditory and visual needs.

  • An advanced approach to accessibility

    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.

  • Accessibility: Usability for every ability

    Incorporate accessibility from the start and celebrate accessibility guidelines that help build better products and services for all users.

  • Accessibility for Teams

    A quick-start guide for embedding accessibility and inclusive design practices into your team’s workflow.

Accessibility events

Annual Gathering

Spring 2024 Community Summit

Digital service experts across the federal government will share case studies and best practices on delivering a digital-first public experience.
2024
This month the Design System team will talk about the development and rollout of their new accessibility tests for components.
Watch Video
2024
Next steps in the U.S. Web Design System’s inclusive usability research

USWDS Monthly Call - November 2023

The USWDS team will continue sharing our progress to improve ongoing research, publishing results and addressing recent findings.
Watch Video
2023
Conducting user research with people with disabilities

USWDS Monthly Call - October 2023

This month, we’ll share progress and findings from our recent effort to improve our ongoing research practice.
Watch Video
2023
Developing and evaluating content for manual accessibility and user experience (UX) tests
Watch Video
2023

Accessibility news

How USAGov uses data to improve content

Each month, USAGov’s content designers spend many hours ensuring that the content on USA.gov and USAGov en Español is up-to-date, accurate, and meets user needs. Learn how their team does holistic reviews of each topic section based on a rolling calendar with the goal of updating all content at least every 6 months. — via USA.gov

USA.gov logo

Apr 01, 2024

18F at ten

We’re celebrating all the ways we continue to realize our founding vision: bringing technologists into government, launching shared digital services, and helping partner agencies build user-centered technology. — via 18F

18F logo

Mar 19, 2024

Resources on Accessibility

Tools and Services

  • PlainLanguage.gov

    Guidance on the use of plain language for government communications and training for federal employees.

  • Section508.gov

    Guidance for federal agencies on IT accessibility compliance.

  • The Guide to the Paperwork Reduction Act

    Get help with the PRA, planning and submitting an information request, and finding your agencies agency’s PRA contact.

  • Open Opportunities

    Discover opportunities across government that will help you build and make connections.

  • U.S. Web Design System

    A toolkit of principles, guidance, and code that helps agency digital teams build accessible, mobile-friendly government websites for the American public.

More News and Events on Accessibility

159 posts

How USAGov uses data to improve content

Each month, USAGov’s content designers spend many hours ensuring that the content on USA.gov and USAGov en Español is up-to-date, accurate, and meets user needs. Learn how their team does holistic reviews of each topic section based on a rolling calendar with the goal of updating all content at least every 6 months. — via USA.gov

USA.gov logo

Apr 01, 2024

18F at ten

We’re celebrating all the ways we continue to realize our founding vision: bringing technologists into government, launching shared digital services, and helping partner agencies build user-centered technology. — via 18F

18F logo

Mar 19, 2024

Annual Gathering

Spring 2024 Community Summit

Digital service experts across the federal government will share case studies and best practices on delivering a digital-first public experience.
2024

Getting the word out about voter registration: Vote.gov’s first social media takeover with USAGov

Last fall, vote.gov and the USAGov program partnered for their first-ever social media takeover on National Voter Registration Day. The campaign, which encouraged the public to register to vote, reached 36,000 people across USAGov’s platforms and generated over 2,000 engagements. The partnership raised awareness for vote.gov, boosted vote.gov’s website traffic, and laid the groundwork for the future collaborations and resource-sharing between the two entities. This collaboration between vote.gov and USAGov offers a model for social media takeovers and partnerships between federal agencies and teams. — via USA.gov

USA.gov logo

Feb 06, 2024

Designing with empathy

Discover the transformative power of empathy in design with USAGov’s benefit finder. From simplifying applications to a mobile-first approach, the revamped tool not only functions efficiently in two different languages and cultural contexts, but demonstrates the consideration for users in challenging situations. Explore how empathy turned a government service into a compassionate lifeline, creating a product that genuinely understands and meets people where they are. — via USA.gov

USA.gov logo

Jan 25, 2024

This month the Design System team will talk about the development and rollout of their new accessibility tests for components.
Watch Video
2024

GSA Issues Report to Congress Highlighting Need for Improvement in Federal Government Section 508 Compliance

The report, the FY23 Governmentwide Section 508 Assessment, evaluates reporting entities’ adherence to the criteria established by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in coordination with GSA, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the U.S. Access Board (USAB). It provides a baseline and recommendations for strengthening compliance initiatives and enhancing Section 508 activities across the federal government. — via General Services Administration

General Services Administration logo

Dec 28, 2023

OMB Releases Digital Accessibility Guidance to Ensure All Americans Have Ability to Access Critical Government Resources

The Biden-Harris Administration is championing inclusivity by requiring federal agencies to prioritize accessibility in the digital space, recognizing the gap in access for the 61 million Americans with disabilities on nearly half of popular federal government websites. The new guidance mandates rigorous testing, inclusion of individuals with disabilities in design processes, and the incorporation of experts in procurement, emphasizing a commitment to universal access. Read more to discover how these measures aim to change the federal digital experience for all Americans. — via The White House

The White House logo

Dec 21, 2023

Next steps in the U.S. Web Design System’s inclusive usability research

USWDS Monthly Call - November 2023

The USWDS team will continue sharing our progress to improve ongoing research, publishing results and addressing recent findings.
Watch Video
2023
Conducting user research with people with disabilities

USWDS Monthly Call - October 2023

This month, we’ll share progress and findings from our recent effort to improve our ongoing research practice.
Watch Video
2023

Celebrating 20 years of USAGov en Español

USAGov en Español is excited to celebrate their 20th anniversary this month! Since 2003, the website has been a trusted guide to government information and services for Spanish speakers. Explore this timeline of USAGov en Español’s milestones, name changes, and accomplishments as they’ve served Spanish speakers and federal partners over the past two decades. — via USA.gov

USA.gov logo

Oct 16, 2023

Why the American People Deserve a Digital Government

OMB released new policy guidance for government that includes a variety of actions and standards to help federal agencies design, develop, and deliver modern websites and digital services. Memo M-23-22, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience, will make it seamless for the public to obtain government information and services online, and help agencies fully implement the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA). — via The White House

The White House logo

Sep 22, 2023