Digital Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA for DDS

Accessibility is a key component of providing care for those with developmental disabilities. Ensuring materials, resources, and facilities are accessible and understandable for everyone is a top priority for the California Department of Developmental Services ("DDS"). With digital content now occupying such a central role in all of our daily lives, it has become increasingly important to make sure digital content is as accessible as anything else. Beginning in April 2023, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requires that all web and mobile content comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA, known as WCAG 2.1 AA. These guidelines establish clear and stringent standards for digital accessibility. WCAG 2.1 AA for DDS is therefore a key part of how the agency functions.

What WCAG 2.1 AA Means for California DDS

In general, WCAG 2.1 AA focuses on four key principles. These principles require that all digital content be:

• Perceivable: All information must be perceivable in at least one way regardless of a person's disability.
• Operable: User interfaces associated with digital content must be operable by people with disabilities.
• Understandable: All digital content, as well user interfaces, must be easily understandable.
• Robust: Digital content must be robust enough to be understood and interpreted by all users. Critically, this includes assistive technologies.

Because WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines have been adopted as the standard under the ADA, the California DDS must also comply with these standards. More specifically, for California DDS, this means designing websites, forms, and online resources that can be used by people with a wide range of disabilities.

Examples of WCAG 2.1 AA in practice could include text alternatives for images, which ensures screen reader compatibility. Similarly, it could include offering captions for video content, so that those who cannot hear can still understand the content.

For individuals receiving services through California DDS, these standards ensure equal access to critical information. Whether applying for benefits, requesting a fair hearing, or finding regional center resources, DDS participants should be able to interact with digital content all on their own. This is vital to DDS's mission, as accessibility promotes independence and makes it easier for folks with disabilities to interact with their communities.

Ultimately, adopting digital accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA for DDS is all about equity. By meeting these standards, California DDS ensures that its digital services reflect the agency’s mission. Accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but a commitment to inclusion.