Colorado requires accessibility to state and local government websites – GCN

Colorado requires accessibility to state and local government websites

Colorado now requires state and local government agencies to meet website accessibility standards.

HB-1110, signed by Governor Jared Polis on June 30, calls on the state’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) to develop web accessibility standards and hire a software developer to help agencies State to implement them, according to a report published in Colorado News Online.

Legislation requires state agencies to submit website accessibility plans to the ILO by July 1, 2022 and implement them by July 1, 2024. Local agencies must also meet standards ILO by July 2024.

Agencies that have not implemented accessibility features and therefore exclude people with disabilities from receiving services or benefits could face penalties, including a court order to repair websites, damages or a fine of $ 3,500.

State and local agencies are already required to meet accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but adding protections to state laws means discrimination lawsuits can be brought in state court instead of a federal court.

Lawyers said they hope the new law will bring governments into line with ADA standards, the outlet said.