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Web Site Policies

Accessibility

The web is used by everyone including people with hearing, visual, other disabilities, differing literacy levels and familiarity with the content. We strive to publish our information to give everyone, including those with disabilities, equal access. We follow the World Wide Web Consortium guidance for maintaining accessibility. In particular, we strive to:

  • Help assistive page readers. Our page layouts allow assistive page reading tools the option to skip repetitive content (menus and other navigation).
  • Provide text alternatives to images,charts, video, frames and other non-text elements that may not be accessible to people dependant on screen readers.
  • Not rely on color to convey meaning, as some users and readers may not be able to identify specific colors. Where colors are used, the difference between the text and the background is tested to make sure its legible.
  • Design for all devices. We use styles sheets to ensure that the page content is placed in a way that best fits the screen, or printed page.
  • Avoid the use of special software to access information. While we do post © Adobe Acrobat files when the content does not fit our templates (which requires the user to have © Adobe Reader) we do not expect our users to have any other special software.
  • Avoid Acronyms.

If you need any information provided on this website in an alternative style or language, please contact:  meghan.fernandes@health.ri.gov

Content

Writing for the web is different than writing for printed communications. People are task-focused on the web; they scan text quickly instead of reading long blocks of text. It is our content policy to:

  • Be concise. Short text blocks, meaningful headers, and bulleted lists guide readers. We aim for half the word count of conventional writing.
  • Write for the audience. We keep terminology, and content appropriate to the page's audience. (Doctors treat influenza but most people get the flu.)
  • Keep text simple. We avoid bold, italics, underlines, ALL CAPS, and other font styles.
  • Use standard layouts. We help users know what to expect by using standard headings and orders for most pages including: topics, programs, data pages for specific people.
  • Avoid duplication. We strive to not repeat information on different pages, except when necessary to address different audiences in a different manner.

Copyright

This is a public site. It is our intent to:

  • Make it available. Anyone may view information found here without obligation to the State of Rhode Island, unless otherwise stated. If material is copied or distributed, the use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.
  • Protect the copyrights of others. Material that is published by others will not be posted on the site. The State of Rhode Island makes no warranty, however, that materials contained herein are free of copyright claims or other restrictions or limitations on fair use or display.

Data & Tables

Our public health work is driven by numbers. We use this website to show population health issues as demonstrated by numbers. When publishing data on the web it is our policy to:

  • Use quality data. Data used on the web should be Rhode Island-based, accurate, reliable, referenced, and current.
  • Protect privacy. We will not knowingly publish personally identifiable medical information. If, for example, the number of disease cases is small, we will group the data so that an individual person cannot be deduced.
  • Allow data access. Data that are used on the web should be available for download. Where additional data are required by users they should request it through the appropriate data request form or a public records request.
  • Limit tabular displays. Tables complicate the way pages are constructed and constrain viewing options. Lists are preferred for style reasons. Where tables are used, they should be constructed simply.
  • Provide meaningful data visualizations. Graphs and other data visualizations should also have text descriptions for users who are limited in their ability to read them.

Disclaimer

In providing information on this site, we have attempted to be as correct as possible.We make, however, no guarantee or promise about the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information provided. The user assumes the risk of verifying any materials used or relied on.

Links to external sites do not imply any official endorsement of the opinions or ideas or products described on those sites, or guarantee the validity of the information provided.

Graphics

Graphics can help orient, or disorient, a user. To make sure that our graphic approach supports, but does not distract, from our message. It is our policy to:

  • Follow our brand. The graphic style of this site, and associated sites will reflect the overall branding for the department. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis when it can be demonstrated that the particular audience and messaging for a public health campaign requires a different approach.
  • Limit graphics. Background images are avoided to maintain legibility. The size and number of images should not noticeably slow the page load time.
  • Use images to promote campaigns and major health observances. The major landing pages use a set of sliding images, usually photos, to help raise awareness of issues important to the department. When photos of people are used we strive to show diverse populations and/or to highlight individuals who are particularly impacted by the topic.

Links

Linking to other sources on the web helps provide context for information and eliminate duplication. When we link to other sites it is our policy to:

  • Use only trusted references. In general, that means government, academic, and non-profit sources with specific background in the topic of concern.
  • Name the link. Links to associated publications are named for the document (e.g. "Vaccine Information Statements") If, however, link provides additional information to the content immediately preceding it is called out as more.
  • Use relevant links. Links from specific topcial pages should be make to specifc pages on outside sites. Links to organizational partners should be made at the topical level and placed in the "partners" section of the navigation at the left of the page.
  • Use Organizations' Icons in lists of publications. The logo of an organization is used as a bullet in lists to provide context.
  • Be apolitical. Links are not made to sites if the link would appear to provide an official endorsement of fundraising efforts or lobbying for a political agenda.

Site Analytics

We want to know how this is site is used so we can make it better. We also value the privacy of our users. It is our site analytics policy to:

  • Use © Google Analytics to collect standard information about site visits including: general location of the server used to access the site, time, duration,and number of pages viewed during the visit, keywords, technology and browser used access the site.
  • Not collect personal information. A site users social media profile or other source will not be used to find out personal information about that user.

Social media comment policy

RIDOH does not endorse any of the products advertised through this site. Information posted on this site is not meant to diagnose health issues or serve as a forum for discussing personal health diagnoses. Comments made by the public on this site are reviewed. Although comments will not be edited by RIDOH officials, a comment may be deleted if it violates any of the following policies:

  • This site is not open to posts or comments promoting or opposing any person campaigning for election to a political office, promoting or opposing a political cause, or promotion or advertisement of a business or commercial transaction.
  • The use of obscene, threatening, or harassing language is prohibited.
  • Personal attacks of any kind or offensive comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial, age, religious group, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status are prohibited.
  • Comments advocating illegal activity or posting of material that violates copyrights or trademarks of others are prohibited.
  • RIDOH does not allow posting of photos or videos by non-HEALTH officials.
  • This comment policy is subject to amendment or modification at any time.

Questions or concerns about RIDOH’s social media activity or this customer use policy should be submitted online to DOH.website@health.ri.gov

Translation Disclaimer

Some pages of this website have been translated for your convenience using translation software powered by Google Translate. No automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators. These translations are provided as a service to users of this website, and are provided "as is". No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, or correctness of any of these translations made from English into any other language. Some content (such as images, videos, Flash, etc.) may not be accurately translated due to the limitations of the translation software.

Any discrepancies or differences created in translating this content from English into another language are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance, enforcement, or any other purpose. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in these translations, please refer to the English version of the website.

If you need any information provided on this website in an alternative style or language, please contact:  meghan.fernandes@health.ri.gov