“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” ― Debra Ruh, Disability Rights Activist
Impact and responsibilities
Information accessibility is equally as important as information security. Just as the State of Colorado meets federal law to protect privacy, information used by the state must meet accessibility standards requirements.
Accessibility is a team sport. There isn’t just a single office, agency, or division within the state who will make digital services accessible. Every state office, agency, and division is responsible for ensuring that their digital assets and services are accessible. Every person who contributes content to a website or application and every state employee who creates and shares emails, documents, or presentations is responsible for making it accessible to everyone.
- Executive leaders are responsible for communicating an explicit and measurable vision for accessibility.
- Managers inspire action by communicating the roles and responsibilities that employees have in achieving the vision by creating clear goals for employees and through providing accessibility training and tools.
Agency IT Roadmap
Include accessibility initiatives in your agency's IT roadmap. Plan on working with OIT to leverage the tools and support needed to help your agency measure and comply with accessibility guidelines.
Performance Plan
Create accessibility goals and expectations for employees that support professional growth. Communicate that accessibility is a priority by setting individual goals and tracking progress through performance evaluations.
Learning and Growth
Increase accessibility skills across your teams by encouraging that employees take training, like the Siteimprove Academy courses (requires a login), available at no charge.
Purchasing Technology
Ensure that all newly procured technology is accessible and compatible with assistive technology.
State Agency Planning Resources
IT Accessibility Planning Guide
The IT Accessibility Planning Guide website is made available only to state agencies for the purpose of providing guidance, tools and updates that are relevant only to state agencies and their unique statutory requirements. The Technology Accessibility Program team (TAP) has made every effort to provide similar, relevant resources available to local government entities (see Local Government Resources).
Contact: oit_accessibility@state.co.us
Local Government Planning Resources
Accessibility Planning for Local Government, 2023 (Google Slides)
This presentation is designed to help local government teams understand their responsibilities and provide basic guidance for planning and operationalizing accessibility. Similar guidance can be found on the Accessibility Planning Core Criteria webpage.
- Colorado Laws for Persons with Disabilities
- Planning tools and guidance
- Links to more information and resources
Contact: oit_accessibility@state.co.us