PublicInput now offers a simple way to improve accessibility and inclusivity by placing an Accessibility Widget on their public-facing pages.
How Accessibility Widgets Improve Access
Ensuring digital accessibility is essential for government agencies committed to inclusive community engagement. Online accessibility widgets help organizations meet this commitment by providing user-friendly enhancements to web content. This makes it easier for all community members, including those with disabilities, to participate fully in the public process.
Introducing Accessibility Widgets for your public-facing pages
PublicInput customers now have access to toggle on a free, open-source accessibility widget designed to enhance usability and inclusivity on websites.
Features include:
Text resizing: Enables users to easily adjust text size for readability.
Color Contrast Adjustments: Provides options for users with visual impairments to view web content more comfortably.
Keyboard Navigation: Ensures users who rely on keyboards, rather than mice, can easily navigate and interact with content.
Automatic Language Detection: Sienna automatically detects the language used on each page, ensuring a seamless experience for multilingual communities.
Easy Integration with PublicInput
Administrators can enable the widget directly through the Customer Settings → Custom Styling tab by selecting the desired option:
Disabled: No accessibility widget is displayed.
Default (Recommended): Enable the open-source Sienna accessibility widget with one click, no coding required.
Custom: Add your own custom HTML header and footer.
Once enabled, visitors will see the accessibility icon on the bottom left of your public portal, providing immediate access to accessibility features.
Upon opening the widget, users see a number of options to enhance accessibility:
Using an accessibility widget as part of a broader strategy
When enabling the Sienna accessibility widget via PublicInput, you are providing users with an out-of-the-box tool that helps improve accessibility. However, it's essential to remember that using accessibility widgets alone does not guarantee full compliance with accessibility standards like ADA or WCAG.
When using PublicInput, we are committed to ensuring your out-of-the-box pages, components, and survey formats meet the highest accessibility standards. User-generated content should be checked for compliance with common accessibility best practices like alt text on images, color contrast, and minimum font size for readability.
More about accessibility