Shortly after President Joe Biden took office, sharp-eyed internet users noticed several major changes relating to the inclusivity and accessibility of the White House’s official site. Among them are a new feature allowing users to include their pronouns when submitting contact forms and a relaunch of the Spanish-language website.
The White House contact form now includes gender-inclusive pronouns and prefixes, such as “they/them” and the gender-neutral title “Mx.” The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplified the news in a tweet and issued a statement praising the Biden administration for “taking immediate steps towards inclusion.”
“Pronouns matter. Adding inclusive pronouns to a contact form is more than just a demonstration of allyship,” said GLAAD President and Chief Executive Officer Sarah Ellis. “Research has shown that recognition and respect of our pronouns can make all the difference for our health and well-being—especially when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) youth.”
The Biden White House has also brought back “La Casa Blanca,” its Spanish-language website. The Census Bureau reported in 2016 that Spanish was “by far” the largest non-English language spoken in the U.S., spoken by 13.3% of the population ages five and older.
A statement on the site said it is working toward conforming to an established set of accessibility guidelines in an effort to help make the website content accessible to all users, including those with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities.
“This commitment to accessibility for all begins with this site and our efforts to ensure all functionality and all content is accessible to all Americans,” the site stated.
Read Full Article from National Public Radio (01/21/21)
Author: Treisman, Rachel
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