Digital products and services need to be designed to reflect the diversity of the people using them — language, accessibility, and real lived experiences.
Historically, many people in the U.S. have not been able to use digital technology because it didn’t work for them — many federal websites were created with one type of user in mind, leaving many voices and lived experiences out of the building process. But given the rich diversity in this country, it is important that everyone is able to access the information they need.
10x has explored creating equitable digital experiences in a number of ways, including reducing bias in AI, co-designing digital products with American Indians and Alaska Natives, and finding effective ways to make government content available to people who aren't proficient in English. But while a few projects are noted below, the value of equity has played a key role in all 10x projects and is central to all 10x investments.
Check out some of our projects designed to create more equitable digital experiences:
Bringing mutual aid to underserved communities for post-disaster rebuilding
Underserved communities are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. We’re looking at ways to make it easier for public officials and volunteers to provide help to affected areas.
Combating bias in AI/ML
10x has developed tools to help public servants "de-bias" datasets that power AI. Developed in collaboration with the Census, the initial toolkit can help public servants use AI without the fear of introducing bias. Check out the beta version of the Bias Toolkit.
Equity-centered design with American Indians and Alaska Natives
In the spirit of designing "with" and not "for," 10x looked at developing a framework for federal agencies to better engage and collaborate with Tribal governments to create more meaningful and useful digital solutions.
Hearing resident perspectives on federal housing
Residents in federal housing do not have a way to communicate their values, candid perspectives, and needs to the government. 10x looked at whether there was a way to use technology to help them provide feedback on federal housing effectively and safely.
Improving language access on government websites
For the more than 60 million Americans who are not fluent in English accessing information on government websites can be a challenge. Even when there is content in their language, it can be hard to find. 10x is conducting user testing with monolingual speakers of languages other than English to find out how to help them find content in their language.
Multilingual glossary tool
10x is piloting a tool that will help public servants manage standardized translated terms and provide consistent translations to users with limited English proficiency (LEP). Using standardized terms on matters of health, benefits and public safety improves digital experiences for the public, and reduces duplicative translation efforts for government translators. Learn more on the Multilingual Glossary Tool project page.
Resources for formerly incarcerated people
10x looked at how we can deliver a centralized resource to help people recently released from prison get the support they need to avoid reoffending by reentering society successfully.