The Digital Accessibility Taskforce encourages all employees to attend a webinar Sept. 25 on evaluating and measuring the accessibility of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s digital resources. This event is part of the University’s ongoing effort to comply with HB21-1110.
New digital-accessibility standards
The law, which took effect July 1, created and will enforce a new standard for digital accessibility. It requires MSU Denver — and all other state agencies, local governments and entities that contract with the state — to ensure that all technology, hardware and software are accessible, per Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA standards.
According to task-force lead Shaun Schafer, Ph.D., assistant vice president for Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development, the University is committed to meeting — and eventually surpassing — the minimum required digital-accessibility standards outlined in the law.
“As MSU Denver continues to leverage its digital resources to provide the most advantageous learning environment for our students and the best professional environment for our employees, maintaining and increasing digital accessibility not only meets the requirement of the law but also follows our CADRE values,” Schafer said, referring to community, access, diversity, respect and excellence.
As the law includes severe and repeating financial penalties if accessibility standards are not met by next July 1, the task force has purchased a comprehensive webinar to inform and empower employees to make critical accessibility improvements.
Digital Accessibility Webinar
DATE: Sept. 25
TIME: 8-9:30 a.m.
LINK: Join Zoom Webinar
Attend watch parties in JSSB 330A and JSSB 111 (Tour Room).
The webinar will be livestreamed, with designated rooms for group “watch parties.” The webinar will also be recorded and made available to employees after the event. Stay tuned to the Digital Accessibility Initiatives website for details.
Webinar FAQs
Who should attend this webinar?
All employees are encouraged to attend, but the webinar will be especially useful for employees who manage University and department websites, social-media channels and other digital resources. Teams are encouraged to attend the webinar together, if possible.
What specific information will the webinar cover?
It will focus on maintaining awareness of all aspects of accessibility via audits, surveys and assessments to evaluate and assess the institution’s performance and identify areas for improvement. Ideally, the information will help improve accessibility in what is posted on the University website, what is included in classroom presentations and more.
How should employees take action on what they learn?
This webinar, along with guidance from the Digital Accessibility Taskforce, will prepare employees to be successful in guaranteeing that MSU Denver is compliant with HB21-1110 and continues to provide the best possible learning experience for students.
What is the timeline for compliance?
MSU Denver and other state and local agencies have a one-year grace period from the date the law went into effect to bring their technology up to the level of accessibility required in the WCAG 2.1 AA standards. After next July 1, any state or local agency found not in compliance with this law will face severe and repeating financial penalties.
