Public Digital Experiences Policy

Overview

This Policy sets forth requirements for new and redesigned public-facing websites, applications, and digital services. In an effort to provide consistent experiences across federal, state, and municipal governments, this policy is based on the federal 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act. Any New York City agency that creates or redesigns a website or digital service that is intended for use by the public shall adhere to these guidelines.

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to unify and optimize New York City government’s Digital Experiences to meet the evolving needs of New Yorkers with regard to visual communication, content comprehension, ease of task completion, accessibility, reliability, and cost effectiveness.

Scope

These guidelines apply to all public-facing Digital Experiences built and operated by New York City government. This Policy does not apply to Native Apps, social media or digital marketing. Anyone who has a role in over-seeing, generating, editing, or publishing content on official city websites and other Digital Experiences is responsible for adhering to this policy. 

Authority

Chapter 48 of the NYC Charter promulgates OTI’s authority and oversight with re-spect to all Citywide information technology, information security, information privacy and telecommunications. 

Terms and definitions

Digital Experience: A public-facing computerized interaction with the City of New York using technologies, often via the internet. This policy does not cover digital tools that city employees use to serve public end users, native apps, social media or digital marketing.

Native App: A software application developed for use on a particular operating system like iOS or Android. They are typically downloaded and installed in app stores like Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Design System: A set of standards, reusable components and guidelines to create consistent user experiences across digital products. The city’s design system is available at: https://designsystem.nyc.gov. 

Roles and responsibilities

OTI is responsible for the creation and enforcement of this Policy.

OTI’s Digital Service team is responsible for digital strategy, user experience, and content guidelines for all NYC government digital properties.  

OTI’s Web Operations team provides access to the city’s content management systems (“CMS”), which allow users to publish and delete content for all websites man-aged via these CMS. 

Agencies are responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of their content and compliance with this Policy.

Policy

The NYC Design System provides up-to-date guidelines for brand, UI components, content, accessibility, and research and use cases that agencies must follow for decision-making and implementation when building and operating public-facing digital experiences. The following are the objectives of the NYC Design System: 

1. Easy to use digital services that are accessible to everyone, including people of diverse abilities.
2. Consistent designs based on user research, analytics, and evidence.
3. Accurate, clear content, written in plain language, and is not used for political activity. 
4. Technology meets users where they are, is fit to purpose, and is sustainable.
5. Information and services are easy to find by users.
   
6. Secure technology and experiences taking into account privacy by design principles.
   

The Design System is maintained by OTI’s Digital Service team. It can be accessed at https://designsystem.nyc.gov. 

Native applications

Website applications ensure the greatest level of accessibility for end users. Native Apps should only be developed where users are expected to use the Native App on a regular recurring basis e.g. at least once a week. Please refer to the guidelines for iOS and Android.

Related policies and procedures

This Policy is based on the federal 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act in an effort to provide consistent digital experiences across government.

This Policy works in conjunction with the following policies:

• NYC.gov Domain Usage
• City Website Content Requirements
• Online Analytics
• NYC.gov Privacy Policy
• Citywide Privacy Protection Policies and Protocols
• Citywide Policy for Performance Testing of Public-Facing Applications  

Enforcement

OTI may address violations of this Policy at its discretion through measures including, but not limited to, removal of non-compliant content and links, insertion of exit messaging, or revoking publishing privileges. 

Ownership information

This Policy is owned by OTI Strategic Initiatives division, Digital Service team. Contact us with questions about this Policy.

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