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State of Colorado Accessibility Newsletter - December 2025

Smiling business woman in an office waving at a laptop screen and having a virtual work meeting

Accessibility 2025 Wrapped

As the year comes to a close, the Technology Accessibility Program (TAP) team is looking back on all we’ve done, shared and learned this year. We also want to take a moment to celebrate the wins and progress in digital accessibility.

In 2025, we focused on helping state and local governments meet compliance with the State of Colorado's accessibility statute and companion rules. We also focused on the "Why" for this work and sharing lived experiences around accessibility and disability. Here are a few highlights from 2025:

Rules amendments became effective in June. A few key provisions include:

  • Allowing government entities to improve accessibility over time. In addition to posting an accessibility statement on their website, compliance means meeting at least one of the following options: 1) reaching WCAG compliance, 2) offering alternate versions, 3) providing reasonable accommodations or modifications, 4) demonstrating progress on accessibility improvements, and/or 5) choosing the technology that best meets accessibility standards and business needs.
  • Defining that undue burden is available when technology doesn’t fit into an exception and the government entity is unable to meet any of the five options for compliance.
  • Requiring public entities to clearly direct users on how to report accessibility issues.
  • Defining limited exceptions from technical standards, mirroring existing federal exceptions, which guide public entities on how to prioritize their accessibility work.

Aira ASL pilot: We launched a pilot program to offer free, on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for those in the Deaf community. The partnership with the Aira ASL mobile application began in February at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and then launched in October at all History Colorado museums and historic sites. Offering ASL on-demand helps make all of Colorado state government products and services more equitable and inclusive.

Memorable moments from our 2025 newsletter tips and resources:

Coming in 2026:

  • TAP services: We will be rolling out a self-service option to state agencies for guidance and resources.
  • Updates to the TAP public webpage will feature prioritized content to better serve government agencies.
  • Incorporating a “Shift Left Approach”: Moving from reactive to proactive efforts in accessibility.
  • Expanding Aira ASL: We hope to offer the ASL on-demand accommodation to more state agencies and offices in the new year.

Accessibility Is Not a Side Hustle

By Beckie Bean, TAP Accessibility Consultant
Anyone who has worked in accessibility has been there. You’re doing your primary job and then digital accessibility becomes added to “other duties as assigned”. Digital accessibility is every employee’s responsibility, but it is recommended that your organization dedicate at least one person to digital accessibility work full-time. Many organizations accomplish this by creating a digital accessibility coordinator role.

While similar to an ADA Coordinator, a digital accessibility coordinator ensures an organization's digital services and information communications technology (ICT) are accessible to people with disabilities. While this role can look different from one organization to another, some key responsibilities of a digital accessibility coordinator include:

  • Ensure ongoing compliance: Digital accessibility is an ever-changing discipline, so ensuring ongoing compliance is an important part of this role.
  • Manage digital accessibility: As the name implies, Digital Accessibility Coordinators can review and ensure that websites, digital content, and technology tools are accessible.
  • Develop strategies and plans: They create and implement plans, such as self-evaluation and continuous improvement plans, to address and improve digital accessibility across the organization.
  • Educate staff: Coordinators can also provide additional and individualized training on digital accessibility best practices for employees.
  • Act as a liaison: They serve as the main point of contact for individuals with digital accessibility concerns and complaints.

In the short run, budget constraints may hinder hiring an employee like this. However, I encourage organizations to make a plan for incorporating this role when you’re able to. It will save your organization money in the long run. Having a qualified digital accessibility coordinator on staff will mean that you can lessen your reliance on external vendors, which can cost more than doing digital accessibility work in house. Also, by proactively monitoring your digital accessibility, your focus can be on serving your customers.

There is no time like the present for your organization to go from treating digital accessibility like a side hustle to turning it into a full-time role!

Accessibility Fundamentals
Accessible Emails

Email is an important communication tool used by nearly everyone. Accessible emails ensure that everyone can receive and understand your message, regardless of ability or any assistive technology they may be using.

Here are some tips to draft accessible emails:

  • Use a concise and descriptive subject line.
  • Use a black or dark gray font.
  • Use a readable font size (e.g., avoid using Gmail’s small font size).
  • Use bold text to emphasize a point. Do not use highlights, italics or underlined text.
  • Use hyperlinked text instead of typing/pasting in the full URL.
  • If you must use color, use it sparingly and ensure it has an appropriate contrast ratio.
  • Don’t use emojis or graphics to replace words.
  • When a graphic needs to be included, add alt text to the image. Don’t forget to do this for your email signature as well.
A man who is blind or low vision sits on a bench and uses a mobile device

Upcoming Webinars and Conferences

Conference: ATIA
Dates: Jan. 29-31, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL and virtually
Visit the Assistive Technology Industry Association’s 2026 Conference page. ATIA 2026 is where the assistive technology (AT) community can connect, discover and inspire one another with authentic, thought-provoking and collaborative experiences.

Conference: axe-con 2026
Dates: Feb. 24-25, 2026
Location: Virtual only, registration is free
Visit the axe-con conference page. Join fellow developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels as we rally to advance digital accessibility programs everywhere. 

Conference: CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 
Dates: March 9-13, 2026
Location: In person in Anaheim, CA; Some virtual session options
Visit the CSUN Conference page. The largest of its kind in the world, this conference is an inclusive setting to share knowledge and best practices in the field of assistive technology. A showcase of cutting edge technology and practical solutions to help remove the barriers that prevent equitable experiences for people with disabilities.

Notable & Quotable

“A diverse team is more likely to design for diversity well.”

- Katy Arnold, consultant for user research and digital transformation