News and Updates

Innovative work, news, and ideas from people and teams in government

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Gathering feedback with customer panels

Explore behind-the-scenes process of creating customer panels for the .gov domain registrar, managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). By engaging with current users through a customer panel, the team gained direct insights, identified areas for immediate improvement, and discovered new features for the product roadmap. Learn the approach involved and how the outcomes highlight the panel’s impact on defining language, improving usability, and generating ideas for future features.— via 18F

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Feb 01, 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

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Jan 25, 2024
USWDS

USWDS Monthly Call - January 2024

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

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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

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Dec 21, 2023

Less is more: Improving the public’s web search experience with filters

Explore the evolution of search experiences on federal websites as Search.gov introduces customizable search filters, providing users with the same flexibility familiar from e-commerce sites. Devolve into the NASA case study, uncovering how this innovative feature enhances accessibility and efficiency for a seamless user journey.— via USA.gov

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Dec 12, 2023

Sharing artifacts and outputs from research

Have you conducted user research and are now wondering which artifacts or outputs you can share and with whom? 18F provides tips on determining your target audiences, using discretion for sensitive data, and ensuring that such work complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).— via 18F

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Dec 05, 2023

Extended comment period on draft FedRAMP memo

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is requesting public comment on a new draft memorandum to strengthen and enhance the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The comment period for the Modernizing the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) memo has been extended to December 22, 2023.— via FedRAMP

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Nov 30, 2023

Managing a high-performing dream team in the federal government

Discover how the Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team at the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) transformed their federal projects with Agile methodologies, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and openness. From unique sprint names to engaging traditions and innovative knowledge-sharing practices, this blog post offers insights into building a high-performing dream team in government.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue

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Nov 27, 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.
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2023