Nearly 40% of US government websites are undergoing a major overhaul to improve mobile compatibility, while a further 60% are being amended for enhanced accessibility. The revamp encompasses over 10,000 online pages and intends to make government services more accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their device. Improved performance, user experience, and streamlined site designs are the focus of this transformation initiative.
This remodeling of government websites aims to address the current deficiency in mobile-friendly features, accessibility, and implementation of the government’s official design system. The new design will utilize features like tokens, accessibility guidelines, and visual elements to create smooth and user-friendly online experiences for hundreds of millions of visitors.
Apart from making the websites visually appealing and functional, the ultimate goal of this change is to promote inclusivity and diversity. Federal Chief Information Officer, Clare Martorana emphasizes the importance of a consistent visual identity across all government sites for public trust and recognition.
Enhancing accessibility in US government websites
She added that a stable and consistent user experience would significantly heighten the public’s trust in the government’s online platforms.
Whitehouse.gov was the first to implement the new design system in compliance with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act enacted in 2018. So far, 200 government digital platforms have embraced this design system, over 600 have enhanced their mobile optimization, and over 400 have fortified their SEO capabilities. However, there are upgrades still pending for over 10,000 .gov websites.
The key objective behind this redesign is to simplify public access to official government information amidst a multitude of government agencies and private companies that appear in search results. Proper categorization, intuitive layout, and application of state-of-the-art search engine optimization techniques are some of the strategies to facilitate this.
In addition, the plan includes multilingual support to cater to a diverse population and alignment with accessibility guidelines. The ultimate aim is not only to make official government information easily accessible but also simple to find, understand, and evaluate, thereby promoting transparency within the government’s communication with its citizens.
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