04/29/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- April 21, 2026
Chisago County Makes 5,878 Public Documents Accessible to All Residents with DocAccess.
County launches a new digital accessibility platform that opens 87,468 pages of public information to screen reader users, mobile users, multilingual households, and anyone who wants county information on their own terms.
Center City, Minn. — April 21, 2026 — Chisago County today announced that it has made 5,878 public documents containing 87,468 pages accessible through DocAccess by CivicPlus, expanding how residents can find, read, translate, and use county information online. The effort includes archived and legacy content as well as current public documents, giving residents broader access to records that shape daily life and local decision-making.
With growing awareness of digital accessibility and as more residents expect to interact with their government online, the County chose to act now rather than wait. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act has required state and local governments to provide equal access since 1990, and Chisago County said this work reflects that long-standing responsibility to residents — especially people who use screen readers, people whose first language is not English, residents reading on a phone, and those helping an aging parent navigate local government information.
The newly accessible collection includes board and council meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, strategic plans, and other public-facing records. DocAccess transforms PDF documents into WCAG 2.1 Level AA-aligned, searchable, and translatable HTML, making it easier for residents to find what they need without zooming, downloading, or struggling through inaccessible scans. The platform also supports mobile-friendly viewing, even for older, handwritten, or scanned documents.
“We knew this was the right thing to do,” said DeAnna Lilienthal, Records Management Manager for Chisago County. “People should not have to work around their county government just to get information that belongs to them. Whether someone is using a screen reader, looking for meeting materials on a phone, or trying to understand a document in another language, we want that experience to be simpler and more respectful of their time.”
Residents now have access to instant translation in more than 250 languages, including the ability to ask questions about documents in any language. Chisago County will also benefit from 24/7 live visual interpretation through Aira.io, provided at no cost to the public, along with human support from both internal staff review and external accessibility experts available in English and Spanish. Complimentary assistance time is available to any member of the public who needs help navigating documents, filling out forms, or understanding content.
The County’s platform also includes AI-powered search and Q&A tools, plus new analytics that show which documents generate the most interest, what questions residents are asking, and which languages are being used. Those insights will help Chisago County make data-informed decisions about transparency and communication while maintaining strong privacy protections. No AI model training is permitted on County content, and analytics are limited to aggregated, de-identified usage data with no IP tracking, no behavioral profiling, and no cross-site tracking.
“Even when we’ve fully remediated a file, we can never assume we know every question or need that may come up,” Lilienthal added. “That’s why the combination of accessible documents, translation, and live human help matters so much.”
About Chisago County:
Chisago County serves more than 59,000 residents in east-central Minnesota. The County is committed to providing transparent, responsive, and accessible public service for all members of the community.
About DocAccess by CivicPlus:
DocAccess, a CivicPlus solution, transforms PDF documents into WCAG-aligned, searchable, and translatable formats, helping public-sector organizations meet ADA compliance requirements while improving transparency and access for all residents. Learn more at docaccess.com.
Media Contact:
DeAnna Lilienthal
Records Management Manager, Chisago County
[email protected]
