By Abi O'Neal, Website Content & Communications Specialist   

Have you heard of Sir Tim Berners-Lee? He invented the World Wide Web. He envisioned the web being a collaborative digital space – one where everyone could seek and share information. Berners-Lee said that the “power of the web is in its universality… [access] by everyone regardless of disability.” Instead of realizing and celebrating this power, many designed web resources without regard for those with visual, physical, cognitive, and other differences. Far from becoming a “virtual library” without stairs or other impediments, the web transformed into a space riddled with obstacles and challenges for many.

As web-based tools quickly became essential to daily life, the technological disability divide grew from crack to chasm. For those forgotten by advances, this manifested into absent or difficult educational, social, and professional opportunities and experiences. It was an all-encompassing “othering.” It prevented the enjoyment of fundamental human rights, such as those to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers” (UDHR). 

Despite phenomenal advances in technology, a majority of the web remains inaccessible today.

Accessibility is not a set of standards to follow. Accessibility is an evolving quality that is fundamental to equity, inclusion, and opportunity. Accessibility affects, and has the potential to benefit, everyone. Everyone, in turn, has the opportunity to contribute to a more accessible tomorrow. Document creators, web designers, software developers, managers, and end users alike can be advocates and agents of change.

A Note from Abi: I began contributing to inaccessibility on the web 23 years ago. It was the Wild West – tables were used for layout, WCAG’s 1.0 standards were known by a comparative few, and things like text-as-images, seizure-inducing animations, and contrast-ignorant designs were the norm. As my career evolved, I developed a strong working knowledge of accessibility and usability. I have spent a majority of my professional life contributing to web content equality in the public and non-profit sectors. My specializations include web design and development to better serve individuals with developmental and intellectual differences, accessible software development, and website governance. Check out the Accessibility page on the myDPA Intranet for amazing accessibility tools and resources! 

By Todd Wolfe, Health of HR Work Lead & Training Specialist IV

“The Center for Organizational Effectiveness exists to provide high value, high impact training and development opportunities to all State employees, supervisors, and leaders in order to increase individual and team effectiveness that will advance the careers of dedicated public servants and establish the State of Colorado as an equitable, diverse, and inclusive employer of choice.” 

The Center for Organizational Effectiveness is beyond elated to now offer most any professional development at NO COST to individuals or agencies. This has been a long-term goal of COE’s because, by definition, this is what we are designed for! Behind the Center for Organizational Effectiveness is a team of individuals who are passionate about learning. Take a moment to read over each team member’s bio. You will see that learning and sharing knowledge is a common passion. Each member brings years of experience from a vast variety of industries. Over the next few months, team members will also be releasing new content and broadening the COE course catalog.

You might be under the impression that professional development is reserved only for managers. However, Training Magazine’s 2022 training industry report found that 66% of those attending professional development are non-managers (Freifeld, 2022). Here at COE, we encourage you to make time to develop your skills! Whether it’s improving the skills you already have, or taking time to learn and develop new knowledge. 

Learning can come in different formats. Some classes are offered live over Zoom or Google Meet, while others are offered via an e-learning format. In the spirit of Disability Pride Month, did you know that COE offers classes with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation (upon request)? Most classes are also offered meeting strict accessibility standards and that number will increase in the coming year. Maybe you are needing to work on those communication skills that are centered around having a difficult conversation. The Courageous Conversations class might fit your needs. Are you considering moving up in responsibility and having a supervisor skill set is attractive? Consider the Statewide Supervisor Certificate Program. Are you interested in supporting customer service initiatives in your agency? Look at the Customer Service Certificate Program. Do you feel you need to be able to be more comfortable understanding labor relations? Check out the Creating Positive Labor Relations class.

Moving forward, we hope you consider your professional development and make it a priority for yourself. If you are not sure where to start, consider your core values. What might be a core value you need to devote more time and energy towards? How can you develop and nurture that value? In addition to self-reflection, we encourage you to speak with your supervisor. Express to them your interest in developing some additional skills or fine tuning abilities you already have. Marcus Buckingham once said that “Great managers… perform their magic by discovering, developing, and celebrating what’s different about each person who works for them” (Harvard Business Review). Your manager has your best interest at heart and they want to see you grow and succeed. COE would be honored to partner with you and your supervisor to design a learning plan. 

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” — Henry Ford

Upcoming Training Opportunity!

ASL-Supported Statewide Supervisor Certificate Program

To support the equity, diversity, and inclusivity of all Colorado State employees, COE is eager to offer an ASL-supported Statewide Supervisor Certificate Program. Similar to the current certification program, this cohort-based certification will be taught with the support of an ASL interpreter, and is designed to provide new State supervisors and leaders with essential skills and knowledge to be successful in their personal and professional lives.

COE aims to launch this certificate program in August 2023. If you are in need of ASL assistance, and are interested in participating in this course, please complete this brief survey. 

Please note, this course is designed for State employees in need of ASL assistance, only. If you are not in need of ASL assistance, and are interested in participating in the current Statewide Supervisor Certificate Program, register through COTRAIN today!

DocuSign Training for HR Directors

DocuSign is offering two courses - DocuSign 101 and DocuSign 201 - to help HR Directors navigate and manage electronic agreements, automate workflow, and system integration. If you are an HR Director that is interested in learning more about these trainings, reach out to John Kleinhenz from DocuSign today! 

John Kleinhez, DocuSign Account Executive:

john.kleinhenz@docusign.com

(303) 229-8908