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What you need to know: Executive branch agencies
Requirements and important dates
Below are requirements and important dates for executive branch agencies as the state continues its journey to create a Colorado for all.
- According to Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities, HB21-1110:
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On or before July 1, 2022, agencies must develop an accessibility plan using the accessibility standards established by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and submit that plan to OIT.
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On or before July 1, 2024, agencies must implement the accessibility plan and comply with OIT’s accessibility standards.
- According to the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) accessibility metrics:
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By Feb. 28, 2022, agency websites will be added to Siteimprove.
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By June 30, 2022, agency websites will include the state accessibility statement and contact information in the footer.
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On or before July 1, 2022, state agencies will submit their accessibility plan to OIT per HB21-1110.
Accessibility planning guide and template
The Technology Accessibility Program (TAP) team has designed a customizable planning template to assist agencies in meeting the deadline for state agencies to submit an accessibility plan to OIT.
The planning templates have been shared with agency IT Directors who are working with agency teams to introduce the planning template and to guide next steps. If you have any questions about the planning templates or approach, please contact TAP at oit_accessibility@state.co.us.
IT Accessibility Planning Guide
Open Office Hours
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Add this event to your Google Calendar
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Any State of Colorado employee is welcome to join
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Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m.
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Tuesday office hours are open topic
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Thursday topic schedules:
- Thursday, Feb. 3 — Websites and Siteimprove
- Thursday, Feb. 10 — Creating a Program for Accessibility
- Thursday, Feb. 17 — Forms
- Thursday, Feb. 24 — PDFs
- Thursday, March 3 — Websites and Siteimprove
Technology Accessibility Program
TAP works to help OIT and state agencies comply with C.R.S. 24-85-104, House Bill 21-1110 Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities, Executive Order D2020-175 (EDI) and the Universal Policy on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
TAP is working hard to support and guide state agencies with this immense effort by providing:
- Agency accessibility planning assistance
- Webinars and presentations
- Siteimprove website assessment tool troubleshooting
- Accessibility subject matter expert (SME) consultations
- Procurement services: product/vendor assessment and guidance
- OIT's Technology Accessibility Program Open Office Hours
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What you need to know: Local government entities
Requirements and important dates: local government
Below are requirements and important dates for our partners in local government.
- According to Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities, HB21-1110:
- On or before July 1, 2024, local governments must develop an accessibility plan using the accessibility standards established by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), implement and comply with OIT’s accessibility standards.
- Please note: There is no requirement for local governments to submit a plan to OIT.
Accessibility planning guide and template
OIT’s Technology Accessibility Program (TAP) has created a planning guide and template to assist local governments in planning for accessibility. These customizable plans aren’t required by law to be submitted to OIT, but they may help you to understand the scope of IT accessibility and how to begin with remediation and integration.
Guide: Accessibility Law and Planning for Local Governments (Google Slides)
IT Accessibility Planning Template: Local Government (Google Sheets)
The cost and benefits of accessible services
Some people may be unfamiliar with accessibility and might view it as a new and unexpected cost, but it can inspire dramatic improvement and innovation for government services.
The estimated cost for testing a single application or website averages between $6,400 and $12,800, and that cost does not include remediation. It’s important to begin planning and budgeting for accessibility assessment and remediation as soon as possible.
Some of the many benefits of accessibility include:
- Extending service reach
- Inspiring innovation
- Improving usability for all users
- Increasing participation in the democratic process
- Improving workforce diversity
- Improving workplace effectiveness
- Reducing the risk of negative media exposure
Technology accessibility is less expensive if it is planned from the beginning. By building accessibility into documents, websites and software requirements, the cost of accessibility is often minor. Retrofitting those technologies once they are in place can be costly.
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Accessibility Resources
Join the Digital Strategy Community of Practice!
For executive branch staff only
Collaboration is the key to accessibility success! Join a cross-agency community of web managers, editors, contributors and supporters who value accessible, human-centered online experiences for all Coloradans.
Find out how other agency web teams are approaching accessibility, what work might already be done that you can apply to your efforts and share resources or tools you are using at your agency.
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