Soft Launch Alert: The Digital Guidelines are a work in progress and subject to updates. Your feedback is highly valued and will help us improve! Digital Guidelines Feedback (Google Form)
Versions
04/01/2025: Version 1.8
Description
- Omission of incomplete W3C design system tokens; project component moved to roadmap.
- Addition of initial Testing Your Content recommendations. Future improvements planned.
- Addition of Community-Supported Repositories & Guides.
Notable Updates
None; inaugural publication.
Participants
If you're interested in being a participant, check out Join the Working Group.
- Project Lead and Key Contributor: Abi O'Neal, IT Accessibility Program Manager (DPA)
- Sponsor and Key Contributor: Nicole Brinn, Brand Compliance Manager & IDS Design Services Lead (DPA)
- Active Contributors: Chelsea Hansen, Remediation Support Specialist (DPA); Robert Mohl, Lead Web Developer (DOR); Skyler Leonard, Web Content & Communications Specialist (DPA); Sarah Tuneberg, Director of Colorado Design Service (CDS); Greg Knaddison (CDS).
- Reviewers: Beckie Bean, Accessibility Consultant (OIT); Mina Farzad (CDS);
02/26/2025: Version 1.7
Description
Initial creation of Digital Guidelines content and formalization of roadmap.
Notable Updates
None; inaugural publication.
Participants
If you're interested in being a participant, check out Join the Working Group.
- Project Lead and Key Contributor: Abi O'Neal, IT Accessibility Program Manager (DPA)
- Sponsor and Key Contributor: Nicole Brinn, Brand Compliance Manager & IDS Design Services Lead (DPA)
- Active Contributors: Robert Mohl, Lead Web Developer (DOR); Skyler Leonard, Web Content & Communications Specialist (DPA); Sarah Tuneberg, Director of Colorado Design Service (CDS); Greg Knaddison (CDS).
- Reviewers: Beckie Bean, Accessibility Consultant (OIT); Chelsea Hansen, Remediation Support Specialist (DPA); Mina Farzad (CDS); Brian Curtis (CDS);
Rationale and Standards Alignment
Accessibility is part of our brand and is, necessarily, a critical topic within our guidelines. If you'd like to explore how our guidelines align with or support technical standards, some examples are provided below. This reference is not exhaustive. It is meant to help people dive deeper into the standards-driven rationale behind many of the recommendations made in this resource.
| Guideline Category | Topic | EN 301 549 | WCAG 3.0 | WCAG 2.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Strategy | Language | 9.3.1 Readable | 3.1 Readable | |
| Components | General | 9.3.2 Predictable | 2.3.4 Expected behavior | 3.2 Predictable |
| Accessibility & Experience | General | 4 Functional performance | ||
| Layout Guidelines | All Page Types | 9.3.2 Predictable | 2.7 Layout | |
| Layout Guidelines | Navigation | 9.3.2.3 Consistent navigation | 2.4 Navigable | |
| Design Tokens | Color System |
| 2.12 User control | 1.4 Distinguishable |
| Design Tokens | Spacing and Grid | 9.1.3.4 Orientation | 1.3 Adaptable | |
| Design Tokens | Motion & Interaction |
| 2.3 Seizures and physical reactions |
Roadmap
- Design Tokens: Add Department Accent Palettes, Improve Existing Token Examples
- Layout Guidelines: Add Consistent Help
- Components: Add Extended Guidance (General)
- Components: Add Custom Components
- Add State Design Guidelines Showcase
- Add Performance and Technical Considerations
- Develop USWDS implementations (GitHub), solutions TBD