USER EXPERIENCE AND MULTILINGUAL
USAGov: Usability Test Reports
Join us for an overview of usability test reports on the next version of USA.gov.
2022
News and Updates
Innovative work, news, and ideas from people and teams in government
Improving Inclusion, Continuously: How We Iterated on Our Bot To Promote More Inclusive and Thoughtful Language
In 2015, TTS created a Slack bot to help us use more inclusive language. Over time, we found this bot could use some improvements. So starting in 2019, we began conducting research and iterating on our bot to further our goal of a welcoming, inclusive culture.— via 18F
Identity, Credential, and Access Management
The Privileged Identity Playbook Guides Management of Privileged User Accounts
The Privileged Identity Playbook is a practical guide to help federal agencies implement and manage a privileged user management function as part of an overall agency ICAM program.
Tips for communicating about your research with non-scientists
Using plain language to describe your work is not only important, it’s also part of the NIH mission and federal law. Here are some tips for telling the public about your research and why it matters.
Jargon Madness: A Plain Language Exercise
During the 2022 Plain Language Summit, Laura Rabuck of the Veterans Health Administration demonstrated how to promote plain language practices by focusing on jargon, a common enemy of all plain writers.
10X: A Home for Federal Innovators
10x funds ideas by federal employees on a wide range of topics related to government technology. This year, 10x is particularly interested in funding ideas that align with two themes: Digital Foundations, and Equity in Delivery. Are you the go-to person for ideas on your team? Are you the one who finds creative ways to solve problems? Do you see opportunities where others see challenges? Submit an idea—just 1 to 3 sentences—by November 30.— via General Services Administration
Putting People at the Center of Digital Government
USAGov and USAGov en Español are working to reimagine the way we provide government information and services to the public. The USAGov team is an example of how GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS) is aligning and living up to the challenges outlined in the President’s Management Agenda. The focus in 2022 has been on centering the work around the people we serve.— via General Services Administration
Incorporating Evaluation into Digital Forms
The American public spends approximately 11.5 billion hours per year filling out federal government forms. Form complexity can result in lack of submission or completion, and errors on forms can cause processing delays and affect whether the form is accepted — which can have far-reaching consequences. Learn how Five GSA offices and the American public worked together to improve federal forms.— via General Services Administration
User Research
Managing Stakeholder Feedback: Lessons from Experience
During the 2022 Plain Language Summit, Stephanie Morrison from the Department of Health and Human Services provided five tips for managing reviewers when asking for feedback.
We’ll discuss our approach to developing User Profile design patterns, look at some specific guidance, and talk about why it’s so important.
2022
6 Important Factors To Consider for Digital Advertising in Government
The Federal Communicators Network community shares how agencies can approach digital advertising.
Latinx Identity in Design, Tech, and Government
TTS highlights Latinx employees in civic tech by outlining how ethnicity is defined and reported, and its importance in designing better products and services.
Medicare Open Enrollment Period Outreach & Media Materials
Medicare Open Enrollment kicks off this Saturday, October 15 and runs through December 7. Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on social media to help spread the word! For suggested posts and shareable images, use their partner social media toolkit – available in both English and Spanish. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #MedicareOE to engage with the conversation online.
Sunrise to Sunset: Building a Customer-centric Digital Ecosystem
GSA has developed the Digital Lifecycle Program, with tools and guidance to help teams manage a compliant, customer-centric digital property from ideation through sunsetting.
Celebrating Hispanic (and Latinx) Heritage Month at TTS: An Intersection of Identity and Public Service
In this blog, six Technology Transformation Services (TTS) employees share stories of identity and their paths into public service.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
This year, the Federal Cyber Workforce Management and Coordinating Working Group, in partnership with OPM, is hosting an interagency contest to promote and expand awareness of the Cyber Professionals Community on Open Opportunities. This community serves as a central hub to post and participate in cyber career development opportunities. Download their Toolkit (1.29 MB, 21 pages) to learn more about the interagency contest that runs October 3rd to December 2nd.— via Open Opportunities
Taking a Design-led Approach to Digital Modernization
Learn how GSA uses collaboration, empathy, and existing expertise to modernize their digital portfolio and improve customer experience.
Your Federal Front Door: USA.gov and USAGov en Español are Focused on the Public
The Biden-Harris Administration’s President’s Management Agenda Vision (PMA) lays the foundation for an effective, equitable, and accountable government that delivers results for all Americans through three main priority areas. Periodically Performance.gov shares stories that highlight real world examples of one of the three PMA priorities. Follow along as they discuss the current approach of the USAGov team and what’s on the horizon for the USAGov website.— via Performance.gov
Closing the Disability Divide
Over 67 million people in the United States have a disability, constituting the largest diversity group in the country. Despite decades of advocacy and struggle, people with disabilities continue to experience significant gaps in health and well-being, educational attainment, employment, and wealth compared to people without disabilities. These gaps have been termed the “disability divide.” The purpose of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness campaign at the National Institutes of Health is to educate staff regarding the divide and to celebrate those who help close the disability divide by advocating for people with disabilities.— via National Institutes of Health
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
Observed annually in October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for NDEAM 2022, Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.— via Department of Labor
