News and Updates

Blind Veterans can now read decision letters

VA now offers accessibility to blind Veterans so they can independently read decision letters online.— via U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Seven tips on facilitating unplanned topics in meetings

Facilitating a workshop can feel like a daunting task. Here at 18F, we’ve identified seven tips to keep your workshop organized and flowing, despite unplanned scenarios.— via 18F

Advanced Section 508 compliance testing: moving beyond automated testing and screen readers

Members of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue team recently completed the free, six-course Trusted Tester accessibility compliance training and certification from the Department of Homeland Security. Here’s what they learned, and how they applied this new knowledge to the two websites they manage.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue

Fact Sheet: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities

The Department of Justice published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) explaining how they propose updating the regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to add more specific requirements about web and mobile application (app) accessibility.— via Department of Justice

Get to know Search.gov

Search.gov’s goal is to deliver a high-quality, government-wide search engine that allows agencies to customize search experiences for the public, regardless of website type or organization. Learn about standard offerings, as well as three major enhancements.— via USA.gov

How a Small Team Modernized a Federal Website to Improve CX

The recent redesign of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) website stands as an example for agencies seeking to enhance their online platforms. ONRR’s Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team played a pivotal role in this website transformation by embracing open data, user-centered design, accessibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.— via Performance.gov

GSA debuts new search tool to support Native governments and businesses

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) debuted a new search tool that enables buyers to search for Native business categories in GSA Advantage!, GSA eBuy, and GSA eLibrary for commercial products and services. Tribal governments are limited in their ability to generate traditional government revenues because of their unique federal status, and the income from Tribal businesses is an important source of development for these communities. This new feature will help Native businesses be visible in a diverse range of channels where they can sell products and services.— via General Services Administration

3 ways to improve communication between contact center agents and customers

The USAGov Contact Center is committed to meeting customers’ needs empathetically, efficiently, and accurately. Here are three tips recommended to USAGov agents for interacting with customers.— via USA.gov

The four operating levels of 18F projects

At 18F, we partner with government agencies to help them deliver new or modernized digital services and help set them up for success after we conclude the project. To support these outcomes, we set up our work to track on four levels: Project management, Product development, Post-18F sustainability and Learning to the broader government community.— via 18F

FCC requires video conferencing platforms to be accessible and proposes platform integration with sign-language services

The Federal Communications Commission voted to require video conferencing platforms, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex, to comply with the accessibility requirements under the Communications Act and agency rules that govern interoperable video conferencing services.— via Federal Communications Commission

Making the big move - Special report: Search in support of federal web modernization

For the past several years Search.gov has reported each year on the top public needs based on the search terms they used.

This special report will take a different approach. It still offers a high level view of the public experience of seeking services and information from the government. But it also tells the story of change, and how these changes affect search and findability.