State of Colorado Accessibility Newsletter - September 2025

Accessibility News

Aira ASL pilot program expands

There’s a new way for the deaf community to explore History Colorado museums and historic sites. Coloradans visiting 11 History Colorado museums and historic sites can access free, on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services through a new state pilot program using Aira ASL.

Aira ASL is a free digital tool that connects deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals with a professional ASL interpreter for instant, in-person service. The Aira ASL app is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Users simply download the app, tap a button and are connected to a live interpreter who facilitates communication using the caller’s phone camera and audio. Aira ASL sessions are secure, on-demand and available without advance reservations.

Aira ASL is currently being piloted at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) Vocational Rehabilitation locations and Workforce Centers. Through OIT’s Technology Accessibility Program (TAP), the state offers free 30-minute Aira ASL sessions to Coloradans. Additional sessions are available if needed.

ASL is the third-most used language in the United States. The addition of Aira ASL access is further strengthening efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable Colorado for All.

Accessibility Essentials

Accessible Fonts - Part III

Previously, we covered the importance of using fonts in an accessible way. In March, I wrote about things to think about when choosing fonts that are accessible to people with cognitive disabilities. In April, we covered how using real embedded text instead of images will make written content more accessible to screen reader users.
The State of Colorado makes choosing - and using - accessible, brand-compliant fonts easy.

For Content Creators

Inclusive Branding: In this guide you’ll find official OIT brand fonts, helpful tips on using fonts in Google Workspace and easy access to help. While you’re there, be sure to explore other formatting fundamentals and best practices.

Default Styles: Knowing which fonts to use is great, but wouldn’t it be nice if you always knew where to find them? Default Styles includes eight ready-to-go document styles that make using the right fonts easy every time. 

For Designers & Developers

Check out Typography (Fonts) & Spacing for detailed guidance on using state fonts in your websites or apps (and feel free to grab some starter tokens!)

Chelsea's Corner

AI and accessibility considerations

By Chelsea Cook, TAP Accessibility Consultant

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in tech right now. Since the explosion of large language models and AI applications that understand and generate human-like text, there are seemingly AI solutions for nearly every problem. AI also impacts accessibility, as it can summarize complex documents, write emails and gather information. However, when it comes to accessibility, there are still a few things to keep in mind about AI technology.

Know the capabilities of your AI tools. I was just playing with a local model this week, and I instructed it to do something that I later found out was beyond its capabilities. Instead of alerting me to this, it just said, “Give me a moment to complete the task.”

False information, also known as AI hallucinations, are possible. A colleague found that an AI model fabricated WCAG success criterion when we conducted a search. Always check for accuracy.

Trust but verify still applies. This is especially true for blind users inquiring about image descriptions. Different models can give wildly different results, and relying on AI alone can have consequences. Researchers in the field of blindness continue to develop solutions for companies and alternative methods of verification.

Bias definitely still exists. I know people who have asked AI about braille, and AI has no idea of the myriad of writing systems that came before braille. A few times, Gemini has apologized to me for suggestions that are impossible for me to accomplish, like using a mouse when I made it clear I use a screen reader, for example.

Check the generated alternative text. While this may seem like an easy, quick win for accessibility, AI is prone to making assumptions and mistakes. Having a human review the text is key. I’ve started to pick up on AI-generated alt text; i.e., when the text says an image “may contain” or “suggests” something. I do appreciate when AI-generated content is acknowledged, especially in social media posts.

Prompting is crucial. If your prompts are too short, too general or the output is not specified, you will likely not get a clear response. (Yes, you can include do’s and don’ts in your prompt, and the AI will do its best to abide by them.) Keep the context and amount of information in mind when having a conversation and building your prompts.

The future is bright and exciting, but there are still some important lessons to learn from AI literacy regarding accessibility.

Accessibility and You

Challenging myths about people who are deaf or have hearing loss

A myth is a widely held but false belief. These misconceptions often develop from a lack of understanding or exposure, and they can significantly shape how we perceive others. In Colorado, more than 755,000 residents identify as deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. By dispelling common misconceptions about this community, we create a more inclusive and understanding community. Let's explore some of these myths, based on information from the National Deaf Children's Society.

Myth: Deaf people can't enjoy music.
Fact: Music is a universal experience. Many people who are deaf or have hearing loss, such as dancer and instructor Shaheem Sanchez in this 13-minute video, enjoy music through vibrations, amplified sound from hearing aids and even by creating music themselves. It's not just about hearing the notes; it's about feeling the rhythm.

Myth: Sign language is the same worldwide.
Fact: Just like spoken languages, sign languages are beautifully diverse. American Sign Language (ASL), Black American Sign Language (BASL)/Black Sign Variation (BSV), British Sign Language (BSL), French Sign Language (LSF) and others are all distinct, each with its own rich history and culture. 

Myth: Deaf people can't use sound technology.
Fact: Technology has made phone communication more accessible than ever. Deaf individuals use phones for texting, video calls with sign language and relay services that connect them with an operator who can interpret the conversation in real-time. Closed captioning and transcription services for videos, virtual meetings and entertainment ensure accessibility for people who are deaf and benefit a broad audience.

Myth: Hearing aids and cochlear implants "fix" hearing.
Fact: These are powerful tools, but they don't restore natural hearing. They augment sound, and for some, the process of interpreting these sounds can be incredibly tiring.

By challenging these common misconceptions, we can better appreciate and learn from the diverse experiences and abilities of our colleagues or community members who are deaf or have hearing loss.

A day at the museum

Earlier this month, OIT partnered with History Colorado to film a promotional video for a new pilot program with the Aira ASL app. The video, shot at the History Colorado Center in downtown Denver, will show Aira ASL in action and demonstrate how this easy, fast and reliable on-demand digital accommodation tool can help us get closer to a Colorado for All. Stay tuned for the video's launch in October!

Emily Turner from History Colorado communicates with Luke Adams from the Colorado Department of Human Services via the Aira ASL app, as Curtis Ellzey from OIT films the demonstration.

Notable & Quotable

“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.”

- Debra Ruh, internationally recognized disability advocate, author, businesswoman and global disability inclusion strategist