Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed on July 26, 1990, is a comprehensive civil rights law protecting the rights of people with disabilities. The ADA is divided into five titles to ensure equal opportunity and access for individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment (Title I), state and local government services (Title II), public accommodations (Title III), telecommunications, retaliation, and other provisions (Titles IV and V).  

Denver is committed to ensuring people with disabilities can fully access and enjoy all that Denver has to offer.

• Title I – 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.
• Title II – State and Local Government Services
  • Denver will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its programs, services, and activities. Specifically, Denver will ensure:
    • Effective Communication – Upon request, Denver will provide auxiliary aids and services to allow effective communication in its programs, services, and activities. Examples include ASL interpreters, Braille, and assistive listening devices.
    • Modifications to Policies & Procedures – Denver will make modifications to its policies or programs, as needed and requested, to allow individuals with disabilities to equally participate in its programs, services, and activities.
    • Physical Access – Denver is constantly working to identify and remedy any physical barriers to access in its facilities. For more information, see Denver's Transition Plan.
    • Service Animals – Individuals with disabilities are welcome to bring their service animals into Denver’s public facilities, programs, and events.
  • Denver will not charge individuals with disabilities for any accommodations or auxiliary aids or services.
  • The ADA does not require Denver to undertake an action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its program or services or cause an undue financial or administrative burden.
  • Should you have any questions or concerns about these issues, please contact Human Rights & Community Partnerships (HRCP) Disability Rights Division at disabilityaccess@denvergov.org.

The ADA requires Denver to operate each program, service, or activity so that when it is viewed in its entirety, it is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. To accomplish this, the City is constantly evaluating its facilities, services, and programs to identify barriers to access and participation for people with disabilities. Any identified barriers are placed in the City’s Transition Plan, which not only outlines the barriers, but also includes remediation recommendations and costs, and prioritization of facility modifications.

Denver is currently working to update its Transition Plan. For questions or concerns about the Transition Plan or any barriers you have identified, contact HRCP’s Disability Rights Division at disabilityaccess@denvergov.org.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against or denied access to a Denver owned or managed facility, program, or service based on your disability, you may:

• Submit this form
• Email disabiltyaccess@denvergov.org
• Call 720-913-8465

For more information, visit denvergov.org/disability

Click here to view form.

Click here to view form.