2022 Diversity & Inclusion Report
Reflecting the American People
Too often, outdated tools, systems, and practices make interacting with the government cumbersome and frustrating. The U.S. Digital Service (USDS) was founded in August 2014, bringing together the best engineering and design talent and changing our government’s approach to technology.
Since then, hundreds of mission-driven professionals have completed tours of service, furthering the USDS mission to deliver better government services to the American people through technology and design. We’ve grown from less than a dozen staffers to more than 200 today.
One of our goals is to build a workforce that reflects the people we serve. We believe that fostering diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility (DEIA) is vital to our ability to imagine and build digital solutions that solve everyday challenges people face.
![aerial view crowded street busy crosswalk](./images/deia-welcome.png)
Representation: How Do USDSers Identify?
USDS staffers — we call ourselves USDSers — completed a voluntary diversity and inclusion survey to inform this report and our broader Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility strategy.
For each of the demographic markers below, we’re including two data sets:
TOTAL includes all full-time USDS staff, including Leadership.1
LEADERSHIP includes Community of Practice directors, Senior Advisors for Delivery, as well as our Chief Delivery Officer, Deputy Administrator, and Administrator.
Race and Ethnicity
![table showing race data for staff and leadership](./images/deia-chart-race.png)
Age
![table showing age data for staff and leadership](./images/deia-chart-age.png)
Gender
![table showing gender data for staff and leadership](./images/deia-chart-gender.png)
LGBTQ+
![table showing lgbtq+ data for staff and leadership](./images/deia-chart-lgbtq.png)
Cognitive and/or Physical Disability
![table showing disability data for staff and leadership](./images/deia-chart-disability.png)
How we serve
The greatest good for the greatest number of people, in the greatest need
USDSers work across multiple federal agencies, collaborating with career public servants to reimagine government systems and services Americans rely on daily. Our unofficial motto is to choose projects that serve “the greatest good, for the greatest number of people, in the greatest need.”
Since the project that led to our founding with the Department of Health and Human Services — Healthcare.gov — we’ve partnered with dozens of agencies, including:
![government agency seals for CDC, SSA, State, Treasury and VA](./images/deia-agency-seals.png)
Who we serve
Millions of Americans depend on the digital services that USDSers design, build, or support. Through our agency partners, we've:
![aerial view of tax forms, calculator and checkbook](./images/deia-who-we-serve-ctc.png)
Educated parents about tax credits (Treasury / IRS)
![hand dipping swab in an at home covid test](./images/deia-who-we-serve-covid.png)
Connected people to life-saving COVID-19 tests and vaccines (HHS / CDC)
![mom prepares food in her kitchen with 2 toddlers at a table](./images/deia-who-we-serve-wic.png)
Helped families feed their children (WIC)
![anonymous person stands alone in a field holding a large backpack](./images/deia-who-we-serve-state.png)
Assisted with Afghan refugee resettlement (State)
![back view of an African American wearing military uniform with hand in salute](./images/deia-who-we-serve-va.png)
Improved access to benefits claims and information for Veterans (VA)
1. There were 212 full-time USDS staff as of October 2022, including anyone who joined or left during the period of the survey. All information is self-identified as of October 2022. Individuals provided responses outside of these categories, which could not be reported due to small group sizes.