DOJ Launches New Program to Make Resources, Services More Accessible

The Department of Justice has launched a new program to make its programs and services more accessible for all. 

Under the Access DOJ initiative, the Office for Access to Justice aims to partner with different DOJ offices to lead high-impact projects that will improve access to programs, services and resources; offer resources, training and hands-on coaching; and establish a community of practice composed of people from offices under the department. The ATJ worked with different DOJ offices to ensure its human-centered design will simplify access to the agency’s different programs and services, such as the process for requesting a presidential pardon, Justice .gov reported.

According to acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, the initiative will help the DOJ ensure it is capable of meeting the needs of diverse communities by creating a local hub of experts dedicated to helping disseminate information on available programs and other resources.

The Justice Department’s effort comes amid calls from lawmakers and Americans for improved access to services and resources offered by the government. In October, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded nonprofit American Type Culture Collection a contract to support the Biological and Emerging Infections Research Resources Program, an initiative that will make organisms, reagents and other information more accessible to a wide range of users.