Welcome to the State of Vermont Universal Digital Accessibility Project, an effort to meet the digital accessibility standard set by the Department of Justice (DOJ). In summary, the DOJ updated the regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This new rule set specific criteria that State web platforms, web content, social media and mobile applications must meet to comply with the ADA.
To help agencies and departments meet these new requirements, the Administration has established a Digital Accessibility Steering Committee. In the months ahead, the Committee will provide regular updates with specific action items, guidance, tools, and internal messaging to help you with this compliance effort. We will schedule regular check-ins as we progress through the phases outlined in the Implementation and Roadmap. We are currently in Phase 2: Launch.
We will need your help as a Project Point to act on Committee guidance, and share your progress, roadblocks, questions, and needs. We know this effort may feel overwhelming. The Committee is here to help, and we will take this one step at a time! It is important to remember that the time we put in now is an investment in easier processes for the long term. In the end, we will deliver better service for all Vermonters.
Phase 2: Launch Action Items:
Action Item 1 - Inventory Platforms: If you haven’t already, please complete this Inventory of Digital Platforms survey. Due: April 11, 2025.
Action Item 2 - Internal Awareness: As the Universal Digital Accessibility Project Point for your organization, please connect with the rest of your digital accessibility team. We’ve also provided an outreach template below to introduce the team to your agency or department. Due: April 18, 2025.
Action Item 3 – Important Resource: If you are not already a member of the Web Editors team, please email Maggie Wilson to be added to this group. Even if you are not a web editor, this group provides important training and recommendations for accessible websites. Due: April 18, 2025.
More information and resources are available below. Please reach out to Rebecca Kelley with any questions. Thank you so much for being a leader on this project and your commitment to serving all Vermonters.
Sincerely,
The Digital Accessibility Steering Committee
Action Item 2 Email Template
Hello [ENTITY NAME] staff members!
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice updated its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Through this new rule, they have set a specific set of criteria our State web platforms, web content, social media and mobile applications must meet to be considered accessible.
The Secretary of the Agency of Administration has issued a memo titled "State Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Digital Accessibility Rule." The memo officially launched the State of Vermont Universal Digital Accessibility project. The Administration has established the Digital Accessibility Steering Committee to lead the way.
To support the Committee, each state agency or department has designated a Project Point and Digital Accessibility Support Staff. For [ENTITY], the Project Point is [NAME] and Digital Accessibility Support Staff members are [NAMES OF SUPPORT STAFF].
To keep [ENTITY]’s team members informed, we will be reaching out and sharing updates as we progress through the project Implementation and Roadmap. We are currently in Phase 2: Launch.
For today, there are no specific action items for team members. We just wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves as the [ENTITY NAME]’s Internal Digital Accessibility Team.
In the months ahead, if there are actions you need to take, we will provide specific guidance and tools to assist. We know this effort may feel overwhelming. It is important to remember that the result will be better service for all Vermonters. Our Internal Digital Accessibility Team and the Statewide Digital Accessibility Steering Committee are here to help! Please reach out with any questions.
Coming soon from the Committee
Introductory meeting for the Internal Digital Accessibility teams.
- Ongoing updates to the State of Vermont Universal Digital Accessibility webpage with specific actions, guidance and toolkits.
- New introductory digital accessibility training (coming this summer).
- Training plans based on job responsibilities (coming this fall).
Want to start learning now?
- Digital Accessibility Steering Committee Webinar: Digital Accessibility and the New Rule.
- Explore best practices for developing Accessible Communications.
- Use the State of Vermont accessible Template Resources and review the training module for Using the Accessible Report Template.
- Learn more about Website Accessibility, Preparing for a Website Audit, and how to Create an Accessible PDF.
- CAPS New Online Learning: Plain Language Writing.
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