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Guidance on building better digital services in government
The relevant laws and policies for delivering better digital services
Public policy plays a vital role in how federal programs serve the public. More than 100 laws, memos, and other policies impact federal websites, covering topics such as accessibility, privacy, security, design, and user experience. It is important for web and digital practitioners to understand the policy framework.
Understanding Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 standards, and OMB M-24-08.
Understanding Executive Order 14058 and OMB Circular A-11, Section 280 (2024).
Understanding the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act and OMB M-23-22.
Understanding the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act and OMB M-23-10.
Understanding Executive Order 13166, Attorney General memorandum, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Understanding the Program Management Improvement Accountability Act and OMB M-18-19.
User research is an important part of customer experience transformation. Different types of research require different approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Through seven case studies, the U.S. Digital Service shows how agencies conducted valuable user research that did not require PRA approval and successfully integrated findings into their projects. Their work illustrates how thoughtful user research transforms delivery of services and helps agencies build trust in government. — via U.S. Digital Service
The Department of Justice recently marked the 24th anniversary of Executive Order 13166, which aims to improve access to federal services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Its Civil Rights Division reviewed language access plans across federal agencies, emphasizing progress in hiring and staff training, improving language assistance services, and expanding multilingual content. The department is committed to eliminating language barriers in federal programs, improving communication and access for all communities. — via Department of Justice
OMB Memo M-23-22 discourages the use of pop-ups and modals. GSA IT updated security policies so that IT warning banners are presented less intrusively to users.
The summit highlighted digital transformation, emphasizing the significance of recent OMB memos for improving accessibility and customer experience.
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) has recently updated its governance structure to better serve its customers. Learn about their recently-formed FedRAMP Board, composed of federal executives; the FedRAMP Technical Advisory Group (TAG), composed of technology experts; and updates made to the Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee (FSCAC). These groups collectively aim to strengthen and expand FedRAMP’s cloud service capabilities. — via FedRAMP
This 2019 memorandum sets forth the federal government’s Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) policy.
Links to relevant laws, policies, and regulations for federal agencies.
Learn how Federal Source Code Policy supports reuse and public access to custom-developed federal source code.
Learn how to strengthen customer experience and service delivery within your federal agency.
Learn how to implement Section 508, and strengthen and maintain your agency’s commitment to digital accessibility.
Learn how to implement the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act and understand how to register federal internet domain names.
Learn how to strengthen and improve meaningful language access for all people in the U.S., regardless of the language they speak.
The Digital Experience (DX) Council plays a critical role in coordinating governmentwide efforts and assisting agencies in delivering digital experiences that meet the public’s needs and expectations.
Guidance on meeting security requirements for federal websites.
What is an Authorization to Operate? Before you use software in government, you need to make sure it is allowed. You should know what an ATO is, and when you need one.
What do the control families of NIST 800-53 mean? Here’s an overview of the control families that create the foundation of federal security compliance.
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.
M-23-07 updates the previous target dates described in M-19-21 to June 24, 2024.
Provides guidance to all federal agencies on the acceptable use and registration of Internet domain names as required by the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2020.
This handbook aims to give CIOs important information needed to be a technology leader at their respective agency.
Title IX of Public Law No. 116-260, §§ 901-907 (DOTGOV Act of 2020), which outlines responsibilities, authorities, duties, strategies, and requirements related to the process of creating top-level .gov domains, authorizes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to manage the domain registration process for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
Harnessing Technology to Support Mission Continuity
As defined in 21st Century IDEA, the Design System incorporates federal standards to improve federal websites and digital services.
Guidance on how to measure customer experience, including questions on satisfaction and confidence and trust in section 280.7
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided this guidance to implement the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA). GPEA required Federal agencies, by October 21, 2003, to allow individuals or entities that deal with the agencies the option to submit information or transact with the agency electronically, when practicable, and to maintain records electronically, when practicable.
This memo dated October 6, 2011, from the Federal CIO to the CIO’s of Executive Departments and Agencies, mandates that agencies are to begin leveraging externally-issued credentials, in addition to continuing to offer federally-issued credentials.
View or download the OMB Memo on Testing and Simplifying Federal Forms
Openness in government strengthens our democracy, promotes the delivery of efficient and effective services to the public, and contributes to economic growth. As one vital benefit of open government, making information resources easy to find, accessible, and usable can fuel entrepreneurship, innovation, and scientific discovery that improves Americans’ lives and contributes significantly to job creation.
This final rule provided a new policy for the .gov domain that will be included in the Federal Management Regulation.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
United States trademark law is mainly governed by the Lanham Act.
The head of the agency delegates to the CIO a number of information security responsibilities. The CIO in turn designates a senior agency information security officer.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system for exchanging information over the Internet. At the most basic level, the Web can be divided into two principal components: Web servers, which are applications that make information available over the Internet (in essence, publish information), and Web browsers (clients), which are used to access and display.
This memorandum provides updated instructions for agency reporting under the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA).
Subchapter B of the CFR specifies polices for federal agencies records management programs relating to proper records creation and maintenance, adequate documentation, and records disposition. View Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1220-1238 Related Links NARA guidance for implementing Section 207(e) of the E-Gov Act NARA guidance on managing web records NARA Bulletin 2014-02 Guidance
The Rule imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
This Appendix describes agency responsibilities for implementing the reporting and publication requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a.
This Memorandum requires Federal agencies to take specific steps to protect individual privacy whenever they use third-party websites and applications to engage with the public.
The No FEAR Act requires a Federal agency to post on its public Web site summary statistical data pertaining to complaints of employment discrimination filed under 29 CFR part 1614 by employees, former employees and applicants for employment.
This memorandum provides Resource Management Offices and PMA Initiative Leads with instructions for preparing for the quarterly PMA scorecard meetings to discuss agencies’ status and progress in implementing the PMA for the period January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.
Executive Order 13571 requires agencies that provide significant services directly to the public to identify and survey their customers, establish service standards and track performance against those standards, and benchmark customer service performance against the best in business.
Memo M-11-24 is guidance to Implement Executive Order 13571.
On January 21, 2009, the President issued a memorandum calling for the establishment of “a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration.” The memorandum required an Open Government Directive to be issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), instructing “executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the principles
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.
The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) put together these federal guidelines to help implement the Plain Language Act of 2010.
The purpose of the E-Government Act of 2002 includes improving the management and promotion of electronic government services and processes, and establishing a framework of measures that require using Internet-based information technology to improve citizen access to government information and services.
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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User research is an important part of customer experience transformation. Different types of research require different approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Through seven case studies, the U.S. Digital Service shows how agencies conducted valuable user research that did not require PRA approval and successfully integrated findings into their projects. Their work illustrates how thoughtful user research transforms delivery of services and helps agencies build trust in government. — via U.S. Digital Service
The Department of Justice recently marked the 24th anniversary of Executive Order 13166, which aims to improve access to federal services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Its Civil Rights Division reviewed language access plans across federal agencies, emphasizing progress in hiring and staff training, improving language assistance services, and expanding multilingual content. The department is committed to eliminating language barriers in federal programs, improving communication and access for all communities. — via Department of Justice
OMB Memo M-23-22 discourages the use of pop-ups and modals. GSA IT updated security policies so that IT warning banners are presented less intrusively to users.
The summit highlighted digital transformation, emphasizing the significance of recent OMB memos for improving accessibility and customer experience.
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) has recently updated its governance structure to better serve its customers. Learn about their recently-formed FedRAMP Board, composed of federal executives; the FedRAMP Technical Advisory Group (TAG), composed of technology experts; and updates made to the Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee (FSCAC). These groups collectively aim to strengthen and expand FedRAMP’s cloud service capabilities. — via FedRAMP
On April 8, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for people with disabilities. This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. Learn more about this rule and why the Attorney General believes it will “break down barriers that have kept people with disabilities from fully participating in American Life.” — via Department of Justice
Best practices for security administration of control systems and their components. Specific guidance and lessons learned from a federal information system manager.
A quick-start user guide for information technology professionals to begin using overlays as a part of their regular security assessments.
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
Use GSA’s IT Accessibility Policy Framework to update digital accessibility language in your agency’s policies.
Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience—Private sector organizations use revenue as the primary measurement to justify improving experiences. Many government services don’t have revenue as a lever, so how can we justify work to improve experience? The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) leveraged a few metrics on their team that fall into three categories: laws and regulations, improving the experience for users, and saving time for employees. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
The DOD released a policy that for the first time spells out, from the highest levels of the defense community, how DOD military and civilian personnel should use official social media accounts to best advance the mission of the U.S. military and further instill trust in the credibility of the DOD.
The Weekly Ship: What It Is, Why It’s Useful, and How To Create Your Own—The weekly ship has been a staple of 18F projects for years. It is a way to engage partners, inform teammates, and reflect on our work. — via 18F
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