Report 2014-131 Recommendation 25 Responses
Report 2014-131: California State Government Websites: Departments Must Improve Website Accessibility So That Persons With Disabilities Have Comparable Access to State Services Online (Release Date: June 2015)
Recommendation #25 To: Technology, California Department of
To help state websites achieve a higher degree of overall accessibility, by July 31, 2015, CalTech should post standard browser usability features and links to further information on its resources website, and direct all state departments to include this information on their websites.
6-Month Agency Response
The Department of Technology posted standard browser usability features and links to further information on its resources website on July 23, 2015. Technology Letter No. 15-05, which was issued on November 30, 2015, reminded all Agency/state entities of the statutory requirements related to web accessibility and provides information to assist in immediate implementation:
- California State agencies must design and develop web content that is accessible to people with disabilities as well as those without disabilities.
- Web page developers, designers, programmers, and content providers must become familiar with the standards and guidelines for achieving universal Web accessibility and must comply with applicable Web Accessibility Laws as described in the SIMM Section 25.
- Effective July 1, 2016, all public facing web sites maintained by California state Agencies/state entities shall include standard browser usability features and links to additional pertinent information on their website's homepage. The hyperlink may be placed in the header or footer and be consistently applied to all web pages. The hyperlink should not be included in any slideshow or rotating carousel display.
- Completion Date: November 2015
- Response Date: December 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented
60-Day Agency Response
The Department of Technology and Department of Rehabilitation collaborated on new content which was published as a resource to state webmasters on the webtools.ca.gov website. The new content is based on current browser and operating system technology. The Department of Technology has updated the accessibility section of the webtools.ca.gov website.
- Completion Date: July 2015
- Response Date: July 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Partially Implemented
The Department of Technology has posted some web browser usability features to its resources website. However, the department has not included content that includes standard keyboard shortcuts. Also, the department provided no evidence that it has directed all state departments to include this information on their websites.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
All Recommendations in 2014-131
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.