Help Mom stay at home
“My mom spent her life taking care of me. Now she needs help. She wants to stay in her San Francisco home, but between work, my kids, and caregiving, I don’t know where to start.”
Elena: Working, raising children, and caring for her mother. Rosa: Lives in her own San Francisco home. Needs help with bathing, meals and chores.
- Getting help shouldn’t feel like it requires a PhD in paperwork.
- Accessibility starts before the form opens.
What this demo does not assume
Income, Medi-Cal status and other coverage are unknown at this point. AccessForce does not assume eligibility — it helps the family find and understand the process.
Elena and Rosa are fictional characters created for this demonstration. Nothing here is a real application, a real case, or a real eligibility decision. The forms, agencies and links are real and published.
Scene 2 of 7
Start with the life situation, not the form
Elena describes what is happening at home. Every question can be skipped.
Prefilled for the demo. Edit it freely — the wording below is what a family might actually type.
- Every question can be skipped, and “Not sure” is always available.
- No Social Security number, case number or date of birth is requested to discover what exists.
- Answers stay in this browser. Nothing is sent to an agency.
A few short questions
Why we ask these
- Where does the person needing help live? In-home care is run by the county, so the answer changes which office handles the application.
- Who needs support, and roughly how old are they? Some programs are written for adults over 65, and some for people of any age with a disability.
- Which daily activities are hardest right now? Choose any that apply. In-home care is authorised by task, so this shapes what the county assessment looks at.
- Does she have Medi-Cal, Medicare or other coverage? Coverage affects which programs are worth looking at. “Not sure” is a normal answer here.
- And what would help you, as the person caring for her? Caregiver services are separate from the person’s own care, and they are easy to miss.
- Financial details AccessForce only asks about money when a specific program requires it, and never as part of discovery.
Where does the person needing help live?
Choose one, or skip
Who needs support, and roughly how old are they?
Choose one, or skip
Which daily activities are hardest right now? Choose any that apply.
Choose any, or skip
Does she have Medi-Cal, Medicare or other coverage?
Choose one, or skip
And what would help you, as the person caring for her?
Choose any, or skip
Financial details
Not asked here. Income and share-of-cost questions belong to the county assessment for in-home care, not to finding out what exists.
Scene 3 of 7
Your family’s next steps
Three requirements, in the order they happen — and who is responsible for each.
Official form
Apply for help at home
SOC 295 — Application for In-Home Supportive Services
Rosa is the applicant. Elena may complete and sign it as her representative — the form has its own signature block for a representative, with relationship, phone and address.
What it asks for
- Rosa’s name, address, date of birth and contact details
- Rosa’s Social Security number — the form states this is mandatory under 42 USC 405
Show all 5
- Whether she receives SSI/SSP, and her living arrangement
- Household members, and any past IHSS
- Any communication accommodations she needs (Braille, large print, audio, telephone timesheets)
Completing SOC 295 does not authorise services. A county assessment follows.
Official form — completed by a professional
Ask a healthcare professional to complete the certification
SOC 873 — IHSS Health Care Certification
A licensed healthcare professional completes and signs this form. The family’s job is to get it to them and back to the county.
What it asks for
- The applicant’s details, so the professional can identify the right person
- The professional’s own licence details and signature
AccessForce never completes, drafts or signs a medical certification, and never suggests what a professional should find.
No form
Request caregiver support
San Francisco Family Caregiver Support Program
Elena contacts the intake provider directly. The city directs people to Family Caregiver Alliance for intake.
What it asks for
- A description of the caregiving situation
- What kind of help would make a difference — a break, training, or someone to talk to
There is no numbered application and no AccessForce referral. This demo shows the official contact page, nothing more.
Then: the county assessment
After the application and certification reach San Francisco County, a social worker assesses Rosa’s needs — usually in her home — and authorises services and hours. That decision belongs to the county alone.
Scene 4 of 7
What the real SOC 295 asks of someone
A saved structural audit of the official PDF published at cdss.ca.gov.
SOC 295 (9/18) — Application for In-Home Supportive Services
- Pages
- 8
- Sections
- 10
- Interactive fields
- 157
- Checkboxes and buttons
- 88
- Reading grade
- ≈ 16.5
- Words per sentence
- 27.3
What the audit found (3)
Technically accessible, still hard to finish
SOC 295 is a properly tagged PDF: every one of its 157 fields is labelled and the document language is set. The barriers that remain are in the language and the process, not the markup — which is exactly the gap AXS is built to expose.
- Tagged document structure: Present
- Interactive fields with an accessible label: 157 of 157
- Reading level of the form’s own text: ≈ grade 16.5
The person is asked to operate their screen reader
Nine field labels carry instructions such as “Please enter forms mode” and “Return to browse mode”. The document is doing its best inside the limits of a PDF, and the work still lands on the person reading it.
- Fields whose label tells the person to switch screen-reader modes: 9 fields
The rest of the process is invisible
The words “SOC 873” and “assessment” never appear in the form. Someone can complete all 8 pages without learning that a licensed professional must certify their need and a county social worker must assess it.
- Mentions the health care certification or county assessment: Neither is mentioned anywhere in the document
- Save, resume or progress indication: None — a fixed 8-page document
Every check behind the score (12)
Tagged document structureMeets expectation
Present
How it was checked: PDF catalog contains /StructTreeRoot and /MarkInfo Marked true.
Document language declaredMeets expectation
en-US
How it was checked: PDF catalog /Lang entry.
Interactive fields with an accessible labelMeets expectation
157 of 157
How it was checked: Every AcroForm field carries a /TU tooltip.
Digital signature fieldsMeets expectation
3 present
How it was checked: Three /Sig fields — applicant, representative, agency.
Reading level of the form’s own textOpportunity
≈ grade 16.5
How it was checked: Flesch–Kincaid grade over the 1,500 words of extracted text.
Average sentence lengthOpportunity
27.3 words
How it was checked: Extracted text split into sentences and counted.
Answers that require looking up a code elsewhereOpportunity
Ethnicity and 30 language codes live on page 8
How it was checked: Section 7 asks for codes printed on the last page.
Fields whose label tells the person to switch screen-reader modesOpportunity
9 fields
How it was checked: Field tooltips contain instructions such as “Please enter forms mode”.
Save, resume or progress indicationOpportunity
None — a fixed 8-page document
How it was checked: Static PDF with no state; page numbers only.
Social Security number required before fit is knownOpportunity
Requested on page 1, stated as mandatory
How it was checked: Page 1 note citing 42 USC 405; SSN appears 9 times.
Mentions the health care certification or county assessmentOpportunity
Neither is mentioned anywhere in the document
How it was checked: Full-text search for “SOC 873” and “assessment” returns 0 matches.
Personalisation, language choice or help inside the documentOpportunity
None — every applicant reads all 10 sections
How it was checked: Structure review: no branching, one English document at this URL.
Reproduce these numbers with bun scripts/audit-soc295.mjs.
If the PDF can’t be fetched at the venue
If cdss.ca.gov is unreachable from the venue, use “Upload the PDF” to audit a copy you brought with you. AccessForce will not substitute a different form or show an invented audit.
AXS — AccessForce Accessibility Experience Score
56 / 100
AXS — official SOC 295 PDF as published
This score comes from the structural checks listed above, run against the official PDF on 14 September 2026, using the AXS weighting (Technical 40, Cognitive & Content 30, Process 30). It is a saved result, not a live analysis, and it is not a WCAG, ADA or Section 508 determination.
How the score is built
AXS asks three questions: can someone access the interface (Technical, 40), understand what it asks (Cognitive & Content, 30), and get through the process behind it (Process, 30). Each dimension below is scored from the checks listed on the left.
Visual & Perceivable70
Real text, not a scan, and a tagged structure — but ten sections across a fixed 8-page print layout, with a code table on the last page.
Screen Reader & Semantic85
Tagged, language declared, all 157 fields labelled. Reduced for the 9 labels that ask the reader to switch screen-reader modes.
Motor & Keyboard75
Fields are keyboard reachable and three signature fields allow signing digitally. Reduced for 88 small checkbox targets in a fixed layout.
Cognitive Accessibility50
Grade 16.5 reading level, 27.3-word average sentences, and answers that require looking codes up on page 8.
Plain Language45
1,500 words of legal notices — employer duties, fraud referral, share of cost — with no plain-language summary beside them.
Process Accessibility45
No save, resume or progress. Social Security number requested before fit is known. The certification and county assessment are never mentioned.
Adaptive & Personalized30
One fixed document for everyone: no branching, no personalisation, no language choice and no way to reach a person from inside it.
The “after AccessForce” score sits beside the rebuilt application in the next scene. It is a projection of the same seven dimensions applied to a web experience, not a re-run of these PDF-structure checks, so the two numbers come from different assessments and are shown separately.
Scene 5 of 7
The same application, rebuilt to be finishable
One section at a time, saved in your browser, reopened where you left off.
AXS — AccessForce Accessibility Experience Score
92 / 100
AXS — the AccessForce accessible replacement
Projected score for this web experience, using the same AXS weighting (Technical 40, Cognitive & Content 30, Process 30). Each dimension is credited only to behaviour you can try on this page. It is not a WCAG, ADA or Section 508 determination, and it is not an agency assessment of the official form.
What this version does
- One question at a time, or the whole section at once — your choice
- Plain language beside the official wording
- Keyboard only, with visible focus throughout
- Screen-reader announcements for questions, errors and saved progress
- Draft saved in your browser, reopened where you left off
- Language choice, kept when you switch mid-application
- Review and correct every answer before saving
- A written route to a person — no phone call required
Dimension by dimension
Visual & Perceivable95
Reflows to any width, respects browser zoom and text size, and shows one section at a time instead of a fixed 8-page print layout.
Screen Reader & Semantic95
Native labels, fieldsets and instructions, with polite announcements for each new question, each error and every saved draft.
Motor & Keyboard92
Full keyboard operation with visible focus and a logical order; targets meet the 44px minimum. No mouse or speech needed for any step.
Cognitive Accessibility90
One question at a time, plain language beside the official wording, and a “why is this needed?” note grounded in the form's own text.
Plain Language90
Legal notices are summarised in plain language with the official wording kept alongside, rather than 1,500 words with nothing beside them.
Process Accessibility92
Saves in the browser and reopens where you left off, shows progress, allows review and correction before saving, and names the certification and county assessment up front.
Adaptive & Personalized88
Language choice, a clear split between the applicant and anyone helping, and a written route to a person from inside the form. Reduced because voice parity is planned, not built.
Your progress is saved. You can continue in English.
Step 1 of 10 — About the person who needs help
SOC 295 (9/18) • 0% complete
About the person who needs help
Section 1 — Personal Information
These are the details the county uses to identify the applicant.
Answers given by Rosa (the applicant), working on her own.
On the official form: “Name of Applicant”
On the official form: “Social Security Number”
The form states it is mandatory to provide the Social Security number as required in 42 USC 405, or to apply for one, and that it is used in the eligibility determination and to coordinate information with other public agencies.
Left blank on purpose. This demo never fills in a Social Security number.
On the official form: “Date of Application”
On the official form: “Case Number (if known)”
The form marks this “if known”, so it can be left blank.
On the official form: “Street Address”
On the official form: “City”
On the official form: “State”
On the official form: “Zip Code”
On the official form: “Telephone”
On the official form: “Email”
On the official form: “Date of Birth”
On the official form: “Sex”
The official form also has a “For Agency Use Only” block — income eligible, status eligible, aid code, verification, social worker signature. It is not reproduced here, because it is not the applicant’s to complete.
Voice and assistive access
“Can you read them to me?”
“I’d like to answer these questions myself. Can you read them to me?”
Rosa
I’d like to answer these questions myself. Can you read them to me?
AccessForce
Of course. There are ten short sections. I’ll read one question at a time, and you can say “repeat”, “skip”, or “go back” at any point.
AccessForce
First question: what is your full legal name, as it appears on your identification?
Rosa
Rosa María Delgado.
AccessForce
I have Rosa María Delgado. Is that right?
Rosa
Yes.
AccessForce
Saved. Next: do you need help with bathing, dressing, or using the bathroom? You can answer yes, no, or “not sure”.
Rosa
Yes. Bathing mostly.
AccessForce
Saved, and I’ve noted bathing. Your progress is saved. Would you like to continue, or stop here and come back later?
Every spoken prompt above exists word for word in the text experience, and the transcript stays on screen. Nothing is said that cannot be read.
Voice is an optional extra channel. Every essential action in this demo can be completed without hearing, speaking, or using a mouse.
Read aloud using your browser’s own voice
Planned Agentforce Voice integration
There is no Salesforce or Agentforce Voice connection in this prototype, so nothing here speaks to Agentforce. The transcript above is fictional and the read-aloud option is the browser’s own voice.
- The same question set — one definition of the SOC 295 questions drives text and voice, so neither channel can drift.
- The same validation — a missing required answer is refused identically whether it was typed or spoken.
- The same draft — voice turns write into the same saved draft the text review screen shows.
- The same workflow — Understand → Prepare → Complete → Follow up, with the same agency and professional gates.
- The same handover to a person — asking for help by voice creates the same support request as asking in text.
Session linking is not implemented. Once it is, a person could start on the phone, continue on a screen, and find their answers waiting. Today, switching channels would not carry progress, and the demo says so rather than implying otherwise.
Every essential action here works without hearing, speaking, or using a mouse.
Scene 6 of 7
Different forms. A consistent way forward.
AccessForce is designed to streamline help across benefits, caregiving, housing, healthcare, and more.
Step 1
Understand
Describe the situation and see which programs and forms may be relevant.
Details
- Who is responsible
- You and AccessForce.
- What’s needed
- Nothing but a description. No identifiers.
- What can happen next
- You learn there are two paths — Rosa’s care, and your own support.
Step 2
Prepare
Work through the accessible version of SOC 295 and gather what it asks for.
Details
- Who is responsible
- You, at your own pace. Drafts stay in your browser.
- What’s needed
- Rosa’s details, Social Security number, household, accommodations.
- What can happen next
- A prepared draft you can review, print and take into the official process.
Step 3
Complete
Submit through the county’s official channel, and ask a licensed healthcare professional to complete SOC 873.
Details
- Who is responsible
- You submit. A licensed professional completes the certification.
- What’s needed
- The signed application and the certification.
- What can happen next
- The county receives both and schedules an assessment.
Requires an agency and a professional. AccessForce cannot do this part.
Step 4
Follow up
Attend the county assessment, and use caregiver support while you wait.
Details
- Who is responsible
- A county social worker assesses and authorises. Family Caregiver Alliance handles caregiver intake.
- What’s needed
- Availability for a home visit; notes on what help is needed.
- What can happen next
- The county decides services and hours. That decision is theirs alone.
Requires an agency. AccessForce shows no status, estimate or decision.
Where two processes ask the same thing — Rosa’s name, her address, who cares for her — AccessForce can offer the answer again for you to review. Each application stays separate, and nothing is copied without you seeing it.
Already working in this prototype
Why these are grouped this way
Categories shown as the direction this is heading. The working examples in this prototype are the case studies already on this site; the rest are not built integrations.
Scene 7 of 7
When a person is what’s needed
AccessForce hands over to a person rather than guess.
“I need help”
This action stays visible throughout. AccessForce offers it when:
- You ask for a person.
- AccessForce cannot resolve your question.
- Two answers you have given appear to conflict.
More reasons we offer help
- You have been stuck on the same step for a while.
Reach a person in writing
No phone call is required to get help. Write what is happening in your own words, choose how you would like to be answered, and you get a written confirmation you can re-read.
What happens next for this family
1. Review the prepared SOC 295 draft with Rosa
You and Rosa
2. Submit SOC 295 through San Francisco County’s official channel
You — official process
3. Ask Rosa’s doctor or another licensed professional to complete SOC 873
A licensed healthcare professional
4. Be available for the county assessment in the home
A county social worker
5. Contact Family Caregiver Alliance about caregiver support while you wait
You — intake provider
AccessForce shows no application status, approval estimate or eligibility decision, because it has none. Those belong to the county.
Less time navigating paperwork. More time caring for people.
AccessForce. Forms for All.
Accessibility starts before the form opens.