S P O T L I G H T :
D I G I T A L A C C E S S I B I L I T Y A N D I N C L U S I O N S T A N D A R D
The COVID-19 health emergency highlighted the need for consistency across Departments , as sf . gov became the primary digital site for San Francisco residents to find updated information about the City ’ s pandemic response . The need for collaborative improvement on digital accessibility throughout City government was also emphasized by respondents to the 2021 SF Disability Community Technology Survey .
The survey found that access to technology was a vital resource for the public in receiving COVID-19 services and information , as well as maintaining social connections during the pandemic . Primary barriers to accessing the internet included affordability , unreliability , and concerns about online security . Focus group participants also raised the lack of
12 accessibility of digital content and services as a key barrier .
A survey that focused on language accessibility identified similar barriers for Limited English Proficient ( LEP ) community members in San Francisco . Conducted by OCEIA , the Language Access Community Survey found that after language , LEP respondents identified technology as the second most common barrier to accessing information about the services they needed . 13
Main Requirements
The standard establishes requirements for both new and existing digital content . These elements include considerations of language access , clarity of language , and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ).
12City and County of San Francisco , " Introduction to the Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Standard ( DAIS ) Webinar ,” presented on October 20 , 2022 , Slides 15-16 .
13 2022 Language Access Compliance Summary Report , published January 31 , 2022 .
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