Accessibility

Introduction

The City of Cortez is committed to providing online services that are accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. Our goal is to deliver an online experience that achieves “Level AA” conformance according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines v2.1 (WCAG 2.1).

The following accessibility plan assists with a long-term strategic approach to continue improvements to the accessibility of city Information. This document summarizes the city’s web accessibility self-evaluation, transition plan, and ongoing management plan.
     • An overview of the State of Colorado online accessibility requirements
     • Identifying customer-facing applications and portable document types that may create barriers to digital accessibility
     • Manual testing and evaluations of cortezco.gov
     • A comprehensive transition plan which includes future milestones
     • An overview of the city’s digital accessibility policy and guidelines
     • A toolbox with digital accessibility resources

Overview of Colorado Laws for Persons with Disabilities (HB21-1110)

On June 30, 2021, the HB21-1110 Act was signed. This act added language to strengthen the current Colorado law for protection against discrimination against persons with disabilities. This specifically relates to accessibility with government information technology. The added provisions include:

     • Prohibiting a person with a disability from being excluded from participating in or being denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity or a state agency.
     • Clarifying that such prohibition includes the failure of a public entity or state agency to develop an accessibility plan and fully comply, on or before July 1, 2024, with accessibility guidelines established by the office of information technology (OIT).
     • Any Colorado agency with the authority to promulgate rules shall not promulgate a rule that provides less protection than that provided by the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990"

Annual Status Update

Goals for 2024

The City of Cortez has made the following digital accessibility goals:

     • Procure an accessibility monitoring solution to automatically report on accessibility errors that need to be corrected on city websites. Once processes and a website redesign are complete, those errors have a goal of being corrected within one week of notification.
     • Begin removing or converting content that does not meet the accessibility standards outlined in the state law.
     • Procure and begin using a PDF remediation software to make any remaining PDF files accessible on City websites.
     • Training for staff on accessibility standards to ensure as fully as possible future content is accessible before publication.

Plan for 2025

Using the tools procured in 2024, the city will be continually monitor and correct content to reach compliance with applicable State deadlines.

Continual Annual Status Updates

This plan will be updated annually with a status update on compliance with the accessibility standards outlined in state law. Please see the Accessibility Action Plan for updates.

Our Current Digital Service Inventory Prioritization

You can access our digital service inventory with known issues and their priority by clicking here.

Steps for Removing Accessibility Barriers

Training

In 2024, training opportunities will be identified for City staff. These trainings will be required for staff with editing capabilities on digital platforms, optional for others.

Software & Applications

The City has already procured Monsido, an application for website accessibility monitoring. This solution provides a weekly report and live dashboard of issues that need to be corrected.

Remediation Efforts
In addition to working toward proactive compliance, the City has added a form and contact information for members of the public to request inaccessible content be corrected. A link has been added to the footer of every webpage and can be found at https://cortezco.gov/Accessibility/

Timelines for Addressing Inaccessible Digital Platforms

The priority list is based on highest used tools and ease of changes (for example, City managed websites are easier to change than ones hosted by outside vendors). This list may be modified in this plan based on feedback received by the public.

High priority items will begin to be addressed immediately. Content specific updates will occur on a rolling basis. Priorities may shift based on public feedback and public requests.

Testing and Remediating

The process the city will use for:

     • Testing it’s digital platform for accessibility
     • Remediation when we receive a complaint about inaccessible digital content
     • Remediation on the priority list

Testing
The city has subscribed to AudioEye which will monitor the website and automatically fix most issues. The city has also subscribed to Monsido, a tool which sends weekly reports of inaccessible features that need to be addressed in addition to the use of user reports. Monsido will be available as a widget for users to access that allows for accessibility customization based upon that user’s needs.

Remediation
The City’s Communications department and the Accessibility Coordinator is taking the lead on facilitating remediation.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the Accessibility Coordinator or his/her designee will meet with the submitter to discuss the request and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the Accessibility Coordinator or their designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the submitter. The response will offer options for substantive resolution of the request.

If Issues Are Not Addressed

If the response by the Accessibility Coordinator or their designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the submitter and/or their designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the City Manager or his/her designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager or their designee will meet with the submitter to discuss the request and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the City Manager or their designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the submitter, with a final resolution of the request. 

All written complaints received by the Accessibility Coordinator or their designee, appeals to the City Manager or their designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by the City for three years or according to the Colorado Municipal Records Retention Schedule, whichever is longer.