Accessibility
Americans With Disabilities Act
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Denver will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
- Employment
Denver does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.
- Effective Communication
Denver will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in Denver programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
- Modifications to Policies & Procedures
Denver will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all Denver programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in Denver offices, even where pets are generally prohibited. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a Denver program, service, or activity, should contact the Denver Office of Disability Rights as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The ADA does not require Denver to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Denver will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.
Access to DenverGov.org
We are committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone. Our website policy states that its web pages will comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), available at www.w3.org/TR/WCAG. More information about Digital Accessibility is available in the City and County of Denver Brand Guide.
Also note that certain files available for download from the Denvergov.org web site are in Portable Document Format (PDF). PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Technology Accessibility Statement
The City and County of Denver is dedicated to ensuring digital accessibility for all. The City is working towards compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, which sets the standard for website accessibility. Our goal is to enable citizens to successfully gather information and conduct business through our digital platforms, including Denvergov.org and other technology forms. We are committed to providing timely responses to reports of inaccessible digital content or requests for reasonable accommodation or modification.
Section 508 Compliance
The City and County of Denver recognizes the importance of ensuring that its digital platforms are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. To this end, we are committed to complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which mandates that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. Although not a federal entity, we voluntarily adopt these standards to ensure our digital content is accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
Standards
The City and County of Denver aims to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, which sets the standard for website accessibility. We seek to make our website as accessible as possible to all.
Conformance Status
We are actively working to increase the accessibility and usability of our website and in doing so, adhere to many of the available standards and guidelines. We are also actively reviewing and modernizing select systems for enhanced accessibility across the City and County of Denver.
Technology Accessibility Plan
As part of our commitment, we are developing a comprehensive Technology Accessibility Plan to address areas where our current technology may not fully meet accessibility standards. This plan includes:
- Systematic Accessibility Audits:
Conducting regular reviews of our digital platforms to identify and address any accessibility barriers, in accordance with HB21-1110 and CCR standards.
- Targeted Remediation Strategies:
Prioritizing modifications to our digital content and technologies based on their impact on accessibility and compliance with legal requirements.
- Stakeholder Collaboration:
Engaging with individuals with disabilities and other key stakeholders to gather feedback and insights that inform our accessibility improvements.
- Accessibility Training for Staff:
Providing comprehensive training to our employees on the principles of digital accessibility, inclusive design, and the specific requirements of Section 508, HB21-1110, and CCR standards.
Furthermore, in response to the enactment of HB21-1110 and in accordance with the latest Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) pertaining to technology accessibility, the City and County of Denver has embarked on a comprehensive review and enhancement of its digital accessibility policies and practices. These standards, which expand upon and refine the guidelines established by Section 508, serve as a cornerstone of our efforts to provide an inclusive digital environment for all members of our community.
Through the diligent application of these standards, we aim to fulfill our legal obligations and exceed expectations in providing an accessible, user-friendly digital experience. In embracing these commitments and actions, the City and County of Denver endeavors to not only align with current legal and regulatory frameworks but to set a precedent for excellence in digital accessibility.
Options for Equally Effective Alternate Access
For technologies that cannot be made accessible, the City and County of Denver will provide equally effective alternate access. Examples include:
- Print and Braille: Available by request for certain documents.
- Captioning and Sign Language: For video content.
- Assistive Technology: Consideration for software that improves device accessibility.
Our Technology Accessibility Plan reflects our dedication to not only meet legal requirements but to provide an inclusive digital experience for all community members.
Feedback and Requests for Assistance
We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our digital platforms. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on the City and County of Denver website or other digital platforms:
Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation to access our digital services can request assistance by contacting us through the methods listed above. The City is committed to providing a timely response to reports of inaccessible ICT or requests for a reasonable accommodation or modification.
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Legal Compliance
This statement and the actions outlined herein are guided by the 8 CCR 1501-11 Technology Accessibility Rules adopted by the Colorado Office of Information Technology and aim to fulfill our commitment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant laws.