External Links on Access Washington

DIS Policy 6.2.3
Contact: Access Washington

6.2.3.1 Purpose

This policy recognizes that it is necessary to include links on Access Washington to Websites outside DIS' control. The purpose of this policy is to clearly state that Access Washington is not a public forum for communication and debate. Links to external Websites from the Access Washington are established and retained at DIS discretion. This policy also provides guidelines on when links to external sources are inappropriate.

The Purpose of Access Washington is to promote public service to citizens and businesses by:

• Expanding business and citizen access to government services and government information;
• Offering an easy and convenient process to conduct online transactions with State government;
• Accelerating the delivery of quality online government services;
• Improving the level of customer service from State government; and
• Extending online government services to all citizens in Washington State.

6.2.3.2 Definitions

1. "Access Washington" and "Access Washington Webpages" shall mean Webpages whose content is under the direction and control of DIS. (These terms do not include intranet sites controlled or operated by DIS.) These sites are not a forum for public communication and debate. The criteria outlined in this Policy have been established to ensure that Access Washington remains a non-public forum.
2. Purpose shall mean the purpose of Access Washington stated in this policy, Section 6.2.3.1.
3. External Website shall mean all Websites other than Access Washington.

6.2.3.3 Applicability

This policy applies to Access Washington. Links to the following types of Webpages may be included in Access Washington:

1. Other Governmental Units & Educational Institutions - Access Washington may provide links to other federal, state, and local governmental units and educational institutions that provide additional services and information that Access Washington users may find of interest; or
2. Private Organizations - Access Washington may provide links to private organizations if these organizations offer services that complement the Purpose, information and services offered by Access Washington and if the links meet the acceptance criteria stated in this policy.

Access Washington may provide links to Websites that are not controlled, maintained, or regulated by DIS, and as such Access Washington is not responsible for the content of those Websites.

Use of information obtained from external Websites is voluntary. Any information obtained from an external Website is not guaranteed by DIS and the user should review the accuracy of any information before relying upon it. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not represent endorsement or recommendation by DIS.

6.2.3.4 Content Guidelines

Guidelines for Establishing a Link from Access Washington to an External Website

Using the following acceptance criteria, DIS will review every link and decide whether it is appropriate and relevant:

1. The external Website corresponds with the Purpose of Access Washington
2. The external Website is appropriate with respect to the Purpose of Access Washington
• Links to state agencies' Websites are a principle means of meeting our Purpose and are generally accepted as appropriate.

An inappropriate External Website may include, but is not limited to Websites that:

• Exhibit hate, bias, discrimination, pornography, libelous or otherwise defamatory content;
• Advocates or promotes the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;
• Lobby, advocate, or advance the policies and priorities of a particular industry, organization or enterprise. This may include sites of non-profit organizations;
• Promote or makes available adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials;
• Promote, oppose, or makes available weapons or gambling;
• Advocate for or against a candidate for public office or promote or oppose a ballot proposition.

Additionally, DIS reserves the right to deny links if it determines that a Website contains misleading or unsubstantiated claims, conflicts with the Purpose of Access Washington or does not meet one or more of the criteria set forth in this policy.

Guidelines for Establishing a Link to Access Washington from an External Website

Advance permission to link to Access Washington is not necessary; however, Website users should be aware that Access Washington sub-pages, including the pages of other state agencies and local governments, may change at any time without notice. Anyone linking to Access Washington should continuously verify links to sub pages.

Anyone linking to Access Washington shall not display Access Washington Webpages within frames, present Access Washington content as its own, or otherwise misrepresent Access Washington content, and they should not misinform users about the origin or ownership of Access Washington content. Certain information on Access Washington may be trademarked, service-marked, or otherwise protected as intellectual property. Protected intellectual property must be used in accordance with state and federal laws and must reflect the proper ownership of the intellectual property.

6.2.3.5 Link Oversight and Monitoring

DIS has established procedures to monitor the implementation and continuing oversight of this policy. These procedures include:

1. A process to review all new requests for links from a DIS Web page to another Web page to ensure compliance with this policy prior to granting the request; and
2. A quarterly review of not less than seven (7) percent or a quantity of thirty-five (35) of the then current external links for each DIS Website, whichever is less, to ensure that such links still comply with this policy.

6.2.3.6 Removal of Links

DIS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove links if it determines that an external Website contains misleading or unsubstantiated claims, conflicts with the Purpose of Access Washington, or does not meet one or more of the criteria set forth herein.
Links from Access Washington will be reviewed regularly and may be removed for any of the following reasons:

• The link no longer points to the original information or resource to which it was intended to point;
• The Website contains inaccurate or misleading information or has changed such that it is no longer in compliance with the acceptance criteria;
• Access to the information has become difficult due to non-standard formatting, lengthy download times, or intrusive advertising;
• The Website is permanently unreachable or remains unavailable for a lengthy period.

Removal of external links on the above bases will be permitted whether or not DIS is legally obligated to act upon any information of which it is aware.

Posted: February 16, 2000
Revision #1 - July 17, 2003
Revision #2 - October 27, 2006
Supersedes External Content Policy