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SOM Digital Standards

When citizens interact with the State of Michigan (SOM), our goal is to make their transition from one platform to another, and from one agency to another, as seamless and easy as possible. Consistent content design and branding across websites, mobile applications, social media, and other digital communications helps build a unified user experience and establishes trust with citizens.

The SOM provides a list of enterprise digital policies on the SOM website, including but not limited to; terms of use policy, disclaimer of warranty, disclaimer of liability, security and monitoring notice, notice on use of the State Seal and Coat-of-Arms, linking notice, disclaimer of endorsement, jurisdiction-governing law, severability, privacy policy, mobile applications license terms of use and more.

When designing, procuring, or proposing digital solutions for the SOM, please be aware of these policies and the below standards and guidelines to ensure they are integrated into your products and digital services.

The State of Michigan (SOM) has adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as our standard for digital accessibility. Systems that were built to WCAG 2.0 Level AA will need to be upgraded to 2.1 Level AA before the Federal enforcement date of April 24, 2026.

All SOM digital systems and content shall at minimum conform to WCAG 2.1 AA.

Websites and Applications

The SOM Digital Standards for Websites and Applications were established to ensure that visitors have a similar experience throughout all state applications, portals, and agency sites. This includes native mobile applications created for SOM business.

  • The SOM Digital Standards for Websites and Applications were established to ensure that visitors have a similar experience throughout all state applications, portals, and agency sites.

    All websites and applications, both web and mobile, for all executive branch state departments, agencies, and sub-units must adhere to:

    1. SOM Digital Standards for Websites and Applications, which includes requirements for
      • accessibility compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA
      • branding and visual elements as further specified in Digital Guidelines
      • application review(s) to be completed, initiated by submitting a DTMB-3533 form
      • all issues resolved prior to production release
    2. Related guidelines listed on this page (i.e. Social Media, Documents, Other Deliverables)
  • The Native Mobile Application Guidelines communicates important design and development standards for native mobile applications produced and maintained for the purpose of conducting official state business with the SOM. Native Mobile Applications must adhere to:

    1. Native Mobile Application Guidelines
    2. Related guidelines listed on this page (ie. Social Media, Documents, Other Deliverables)

Social Media, Documents, Email, et al.

The SOM Digital Accessibility guidelines are set in policy by DTMB and appear in the Administrative Guide to State Government. Specifically, federal rule includes Social Media in ADA Title II and SOM Policy 1650 (regulates) how Social Media, documents, training, communication (i.e., email) is used or created for use by the public and employees.