Explains that government service forms should be designed to reduce anxiety and build trust—especially for marginalized people—by minimizing requests for highly sensitive personal information or explaining clearly why and how such data will be used, making optional fields and alternatives available, and providing context and reassurance throughout the application process.
The first edition of this storytelling series explores the critical role of cognitive accessibility in digital government services through the personal experiences of a scholar and a mother navigating a complex bureaucracy.
An event recap from one of FormFest 2025’s breakout sessions featuring speakers from Code for America and Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES).
How can governments use artificial intelligence (AI) to advance digital accessibility? During this roundtable, Andrew Merluzzi, AI Innovation + Incubation Fellow at the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, shared some applications of AI in digital accessibility. Attendees discussed which applications are most promising, which seem too difficult or risky, and how their agencies could start experimenting with AI.
DGN Spotlights highlight innovative digital initiatives transforming how government connects with the public. This story explores Seattle’s Youth Connector—a youth-informed digital platform and outreach strategy that aims to make youth programs easier to find, access, and trust.
This blog post outlines how address validation tools can improve delivery of critical benefits by ensuring mailing addresses are accurate and up-to-date.
This article highlights how state unemployment insurance (UI) agencies are leveraging data to modernize systems and enhance access for unemployed workers.
An event recap from one of FormFest 2024's breakout sessions featuring speakers from South Bend Indiana and others working on creating accessible legal forms.
A profile on FormFest speakers Sarah Rodriguez, Emily Lippolis, and Verenice Ramirez, featuring stories about their motivations for working on public sector form innovation.
The article highlights the federal government's efforts to improve customer experience through collaborative, human-centered approaches and lessons on embracing risk, partnerships, and user-focused design.
