New Guidelines Are In Place for Making Websites More Accessible

A developer recently came across a new system for designing websites in the USA. This system focuses on accessibility. It is called the United States Web Design System 2.0, or USWDS 2.0. The developer wanted to share this information with other coders in order to learn their thoughts about the subject.

With a growing population of senior citizens, accessibility is important. While sites have to be responsive to the mobile environment, they also have to be accessible to a person who may have low vision, color blindness or another accessibility issue. One person commented that they were glad to see accessibility of websites being brought to the forefront of design for the first time. People with movement disorders will now be able to access the content and images on a site better thanks to improved accessibility, noted that person.

Another person wondered whether this is a rule, regulation, law or just a set of guidelines. The person noted that there have been a few recent lawsuits against businesses that did not have an ADA compliant website. The person wondered if there would be a governing body for the United States Web Design System 2.0. They also wanted to know what types of penalties might be given out if a site does not meet the United States Web Design System 2.0 standards.

One coder replied that the United States Web Design System 2.0 is a set of guidelines. At the current time, it only applies to sites built and maintained by the United States government. For example, it would apply to the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites. Other entities, including state or local governments, nonprofits or for-profit businesses are welcome to use the United States Web Design System 2.0 guidelines, too.

Many people noted that they liked the font. The font is called Public Sans. It is available for free for anybody to use on any website. It can be downloaded from a United States government site. No authorization, payment or permission is required for a developer to use the font. For more information click here https://v2.designsystem.digital.gov/whats-new/updates/2019/04/08/introducing-uswds-2-0/.