Merge branch 'main' into 3452-font-token-update

src/_about/whats-new.md

@@ -18,6 +18,14 @@ title: What’s new?
 * va-file-input: add support for read-only mode by @pennja in #1300
 * va-date: add prop to make month optional by @it-harrison in #1377
 
+### New content guidance
+* Claims and applications (under Specific topics and programs): New page with general guidance for content about claims and applications #3504 
+* Email and text notifications: New page with general guidance for email notifications #3406
+* Bulleted lists: Clarification on single sentences in lists; crosslink with radio buttons and checkboxes #3268
+* Use short sentences (under Plain language): New example and suggested guideline for maximum sentence length #3268 
+* Sign in and identity verification (under Specific topics and programs): Updates to word list related to sign-in changes and clarification on when and when not to use "verify your identity"
+* Word list: New entries for claimant, sponsor, Philippines, and Washington, DC #3513
+
 ### Bug fixes
 * va-modal: set box-sizing to border-box to prevent text overflow by @powellkerry in #1357
 * va-accordion: open accordion when media is print by @ataker in #1363

src/_content-style-guide/00_word-list.md

@@ -125,6 +125,9 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
 **Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)**
 : Go to [Abbreviations and acronyms]({{ site.baseurl }}/content-style-guide/abbreviations-and-acronyms) for guidance on using acronyms on VA.gov.
 
+**claimant** 
+: Define the term on the first instance as “person with the claim” or “person applying for this benefit.” When possible, use specific plain language instead, like “Veteran’s spouse” or “Veteran’s child.” Go to [Claims and applications](https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/specific-topics-and-programs/claims-and-applications) for more guidance related to this word.
+
 **claim exam**
 : This is a term VA is working to rebrand. For now, on first mention on a page, use "VA claim exam (also known as a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam)." After first mention, use "VA claim exam" or "claim exam."
 
@@ -220,6 +223,9 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
 **disease**
 : Use "illness" unless it's part of a proper name of a specific disease.
 
+**District of Columbia** 
+: Refer to entry for "Washington, DC."
+
 **dividend**
 : Define on first mention in body copy as "cash payments made to policyholders when the company makes a profit" OR as "when life insurance companies make money, they sometimes make cash payments (called dividends) to people who have policies with them." Include definition in another sentence, as a parenthetical, or set off with commas.
 
@@ -540,6 +546,9 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
 **Persian Gulf War era**
 : Lowercase "era."
 
+**Philippines**
+: Use “Philippines” (without "the") in a list. Use “the Philippines” in the context of a paragraph (like “If you served in the Philippines”).
+
 **PO Box**
 : Don't use periods.
 
@@ -681,6 +690,9 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
 **special claim**
 : Define on first mention in body copy as "a claim for special needs linked to your service-connected disability." Include definition in another sentence, as a parenthetical, or set off with commas.
 
+**sponsor**
+: We use this word in forms and other content to refer to the Veteran who earned the benefits that a family member may be using. It’s OK to use the word sponsor but lead with the plain language definition. Example: the Veteran you’re connected to (called your “sponsor”). Go to [Claims and applications](https://design.va.gov/content-style-guide/specific-topics-and-programs/claims-and-applications) for more guidance related to this word. 
+
 **Statement of the Case**
 : Capitalize.
 
@@ -834,6 +846,9 @@ For terms that are not on this list, refer to [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merr
 
 ### W
 
+**Washington, DC**
+: Default to Washington, DC when referring to the location, the VAMC, or a regional office. In some cases, especially government contexts, "District of Columbia" is also fine ("the government of the District of Columbia"). 
+
 **website**
 : One word, lowercase.
 

src/_patterns/ask-users-for/gender.md → src/_patterns/ask-users-for/gender-identity.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 ---
 layout: pattern
-permalink: /patterns/ask-users-for/gender
+permalink: /patterns/ask-users-for/gender-identity
 sub-section: ask-users-for
-title: Gender
-intro-text: Follow this pattern whenever you need to ask Veterans their gender. 
-github-title: pattern-gender
-research-title: Ask users for gender
+title: Gender identity
+intro-text: Follow this pattern whenever you need to ask Veterans their gender identity. 
+github-title: pattern-gender-identity
+research-title: Ask users for gender identity
 status: use-with-caution-candidate
 anchors:
   - anchor: Usage
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ anchors:
 * **Only ask a user to provide information if it benefits the user experience.** You should only ask a user for their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity if you can clearly explain how providing this information will benefit the user (not the VA) and the question is related to the larger action they are trying to perform.
 * **Only collect data when you can reinforce trust, transparency, and user choice.** You must clarify their information will not be used for their medical treatment or benefits determinations and demonstrate how a user can change their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity and related privacy preferences in the VA.gov profile. If a user does not have and is not eligible to create a VA.gov profile, such as an unauthenticated users, then the data is not collected.
 
-**Note:** Many forms are based off of paper forms with limited fields for gender. Work with your stakeholder to expand the fields.
+**Note:** Many forms are based off of paper forms with limited fields for gender identity. Work with your stakeholder to expand the fields.
 
 ## Examples
 
-{% include component-example.html alt="Asking for gender in the VA.gov Profile." file="/images/patterns/ask-users-for/gender/gender-identity-profile.png" caption="Asking for gender in the VA.gov Profile, personal information section." width="75%" %}
+{% include component-example.html alt="Asking for gender identity in the VA.gov Profile." file="/images/patterns/ask-users-for/gender-identity/gender-identity-profile.png" caption="Asking for gender identity in the VA.gov Profile, personal information section." class="x2" %}
 
-{% include component-example.html alt="Contents of the What to know, additional information component." file="/images/patterns/ask-users-for/gender/gender-identity-profile-what-to-know.png" caption="Contents of the What to know before you decide to share your gender identity additional information component in Profile." width="75%" %}
+{% include component-example.html alt="Contents of the What to know, additional information component." file="/images/patterns/ask-users-for/gender-identity/gender-identity-profile-what-to-know.png" caption="Contents of the What to know before you decide to share your gender identity additional information component in Profile." class="x2" %}
 
 ## How to design and build