# Website Design & Communication
Why Does My Municipal Website Need CivicPlus Web Accessibility?
In today's digital age, having a functional and accessible website is vital for any organization.
CivicPlus
June 6, 2023
10 min
Ensuring that websites comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are accessible to every user is critical for all organizations. Especially when it comes to municipal websites, residents and visitors depend on their local government to provide essential information and services virtually.
By prioritizing accessibility, your organization can ensure that your website is an inclusive and user-friendly platform for all residents. This will enable individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility impairments to access crucial information and avail themselves of online services without unnecessary obstacles. Removing such barriers should be a significant priority for all online organizations, as Mike Tjoelker, IT Applications Analyst, Humboldt County, CA, put it:
“When websites are riddled with accessibility barriers, they can be extremely frustrating to use, especially for people who need assistive technologies such as screen readers. If people cannot reach the county website content they’re looking for, they are potentially restricted from accessing important information and services. As a workaround, they may contact county staff in person or over the phone, which can take extra time and decrease efficiency and resources. This impacts both community members and county departments. Removing web accessibility barriers is vital for modern digital communication and improves the experience for everyone.”
While it is true that your CivicPlus® website is accessible by design, it’s essential to understand that accessibility is an ongoing process and that regular maintenance is required to ensure fluid compliance in a constantly evolving digital landscape. That’s where CivicPlus Web Accessibility comes in.
CivicPlus Web Accessibility software regularly scans your site for any changes, flagging potential issues to help you maintain compliance and effortlessly improve overall user experience.
Here are five reasons your CivicPlus municipal website needs CivicPlus Web Accessibility.
What CivicPlus Web Accessibility Can Do for Your CivicPlus Website
CivicPlus Web Accessibility software can give your organization the edge it needs to:
Stay ahead of legal requirements: Local government websites are responsible for meeting legal requirements for accessibility. Various countries, including the United States, have laws and regulations in place to ensure equal access to information and services for people with disabilities. For instance, in the US, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act mandates that federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible. By integrating accessibility compliance software like CivicPlus Web Accessibility, your website can stay up-to-date with regulations, minimizing the risk of legal issues.
Ensure inclusion: Creating an inclusive digital environment is essential for local government websites. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four US adults has a disability, highlighting the vital importance of inclusivity. Today, vast numbers of people with disabilities rely on assistive technologies to access and navigate the web every day of their lives. By identifying and rectifying accessibility errors, CivicPlus Web Accessibility ensures that individuals with visual, hearing, mobility and cognitive disabilities can access vital information, participate in online services, and engage with local government.
Enhance user experience: All websites aim to improve the overall user experience. CivicPlus Web Accessibility’s powerful accessibility compliance software not only helps identify errors that impact people with disabilities but also enhances the overall website experience for all visitors. Broken links, missing alternative text for images, improper heading structures, and confusing navigation are just some of the issues that can be addressed with CivicPlus Web Accessibility. By streamlining your user experience, you effectively ensure your website is more user-friendly and intuitive, meaning visitors can find and comprehend the content they seek more effortlessly.
Boost reputation and public trust: Local government websites are vital in establishing trust and credibility with constituents. By demonstrating a commitment to accessibility, you can showcase your dedication to serving all community members. When individuals can confidently access and interact with government websites, it fosters transparency, encourages civic engagement, and improves the overall perception of government efforts.
Achieve cost-savings: At the end of the day, addressing accessibility issues early in the website development process is more cost-effective than making retroactive changes later. By utilizing CivicPlus Web Accessibility’s accessibility compliance software, you can identify errors and ensure your website is designed and developed with accessibility in mind from the start. This proactive approach saves time, resources, and potential rework, ultimately reducing costs associated with accessibility modifications.
Key Takeaways
In summary, integrating CivicPlus Web Accessibility with your CivicPlus municipal website is essential for maintaining compliance, promoting inclusivity, enhancing user experience, building reputation and trust, and achieving cost savings. With the constant changes in website content, CivicPlus Web Accessibility ensures that your website remains accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. By automating the scanning process and providing actionable insights, CivicPlus Web Accessibility empowers your staff to maintain compliance and focus on their core responsibilities confidently.
As satisfied customer Kristal Gibelyou, Facilities Service Coordinator, Steilacoom, WA, states:
“The accessibility module caught many things that I’ve been able to fix on my own. Many of those [changes] were weeding through thousands of potential concerns for issues that must be addressed. There have been some things that [CivicPlus Web Accessibility software] caught that I needed to figure out how to fix initially, but whenever I have questions, [CivicPlus support staff members] have responded very promptly, which is great because I’ve been baffled at times. Having support that is not just helping out for that one-time communication, but providing insight and good resources to turn to in the future so I can figure more stuff out on my own is everything.”
Kristal’s words are a valuable reminder that accessibility is not a one-time fix; it requires continuous monitoring and improvement. With the power of the CivicPlus Web Accessibility software behind you, you can embrace the dynamic nature of the digital world and ensure that your CivicPlus municipal website remains accessible and inclusive over time.
So, stay compliant, enhance user experience, and build trust with CivicPlus Web Accessibility. Your CivicPlus municipal website deserves nothing less.
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