Accessible Resident Communications: A Unified Approach for Emergency Preparedness

When disaster strikes, it’s critical that local government officials can effectively reach every resident in their diverse community.

Many communicators recognize the importance of speed and consistency, but not always accessibility, which is equally important. When you are unable to reach residents who are disabled, have language barriers, or face other challenges, the outcome can be catastrophic.

Creating More Inclusive Digital Experiences

More than 61 million adults in the US live with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(opens in a new tab). To ensure that everyone receives equal access to information and services, government websites must comply with ADA regulations(opens in a new tab).

To further clarify online accessibility obligations, the Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a final rule(opens in a new tab) under Title II of the ADA in 2024, stating that every entity must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria. Depending on the size of their communities, government agencies must comply by 2026 or 2027.

Of course, knowing how important accessibility is one thing — and actually complying with regulations is another.

Often complex and always-evolving, state and federal regulations can be hard to manage. That’s why CivicPlus Web Accessibility solutions, including automated scanning, remediation tools, and ongoing monitoring, make compliance seamless and fast for agencies of all sizes.

Best Practices for Accessible Emergency Communications

Government leaders must have a proactive emergency communication plan to prepare for anything. By following these best practices, you can boost accessibility and optimize efficiency during emergencies:

• Understand Your Audience: Consider the demographics within your community and tailor your communication strategies for accessibility and inclusion. For example, if residents speak several languages, you’ll want to translate your alerts to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Or if you have PDF evacuation plans, ensuring they are readable documents for the visually impaired.
• Prioritize for Clarity and Simplicity: Especially when tensions are high, communication must be direct. Messages should be jargon-free and provide concise, actionable information, such as evacuation routes and safety procedures.
• Diversify Communication Channels: Relying on a single mode of communication can be limiting. A combination of various channels — including social media, local news outlets, text alerts, and phone calls — broadens the reach and effectiveness of your message.
• Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing two-way communication channels is vital for gathering feedback and addressing community concerns. Providing avenues for the public to voice questions or offer suggestions not only builds trust but can also provide valuable insights for improving emergency response strategies in the future.
• Test Your Systems: Schedule semi-regular test messages to ensure the system works and your alerts effectively reach everyone in your diverse community.

CivicPlus Solutions for Enhanced Preparedness

There’s a clear link(opens in a new tab) between resident trust and engagement and government transparency — yet only 41% of residents are satisfied with how local leaders share information with them.

The right software solutions not only make it easier for government leaders to communicate broadly, quickly, and efficiently, but they can also boost resident trust and engagement.

These digital technologies make it easier than ever to:

• Close the Feedback Loop: With an accessible and user-friendly interface, SeeClickFix 311 CRM enables residents to report issues in real time, while two-way communication keeps them informed with immediate updates on the issues they report.
• Reach Every Resident Fast: The CivicPlus® Mass Notification system allows government communicators to send community-wide alerts across channels, including SMS, email, voice calls, and social media. To further enhance accessibility, Mass Notification automatically translates alerts into more than 60 languages and is fully compatible with assistive technology, including screen readers.
• Create a Centralized Information Hub: According to a recent study, most adults in the United States (US) report accessing their news from a smartphone, computer, or tablet device, underscoring the importance of having a responsive, accessible, and regularly updated website. CivicPlus’ Municipal Websites solution makes it easy to create emergency alert banners and update resource pages on a website compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Impact of Accessible Communication

Emergencies are stressful, but proactive planning helps set your agency and community up for success. An inclusive communication strategy not only increases safety but also builds long-term trust and engagement among residents. When your agency is equipped to reach every resident quickly under any circumstance, you’ll have peace of mind that you’ve done all you can to keep your community safe.

Software can make emergency planning more manageable, while integrations with other solutions help deliver unified results. SeeClickFix 311 CRM, Mass Notification, and Municipal Websites solutions work together to encourage resident engagement, increase operational efficiency, and create a more accessible, inclusive experience for all.

CivicPlus empowers local government officials to build stronger, more resilient communities through accessible digital solutions — and the first step is understanding how you can improve your own website. With the CivicPlus Web Accessibility Checker, you can detect broken links, typos, and other errors to understand how to enhance your website’s performance and maintain compliance with current accessibility regulations.

It’s time to prioritize accessibility — and CivicPlus can help. Give us a call today, and let’s transform your website together.