Systemic barriers analysis

Systemic barriers shape who can easily use government services and who faces challenges. These barriers emerge from how services are designed, delivered, and maintained over time. Understanding them helps create more equitable access for all community members.

Looking at barriers systematically means examining how different parts of a service work together. This includes studying:

• Access points: How people find and reach services
• Service steps: Required actions, paperwork, and processes
• Information design: How services communicate
• Resource Needs: Required devices, internet access, documents, or skills

The U.S. Web Design System emphasizes combining service performance data with direct community feedback. This approach reveals patterns of exclusion and opportunities for meaningful improvements. When we map these patterns against real experiences, we can create services that work better for everyone, especially those historically underserved by government systems.^[1]