Rule Amendments Are Adopted
This article is a re-post from the OIT newsletter article by Alice Huyler, Senior Policy Advisor, OIT Rulemaking. Thank you, OIT!
Earlier this year, OIT embarked on the rulemaking process to make clarifying amendments to Rules Establishing Technology Accessibility Standards, 8 CCR 1501-11 (rules). The amendments were adopted on May 9, and will become effective on June 30, 2025. We appreciate all the great feedback provided by state agencies and employees throughout this process. The revised rules will become permanently effective on June 30, 2025.
The rules define accessibility standards for government IT systems to improve usability for people with disabilities. The amendments address stakeholder challenges, ensure ease of access to help, use of the best technology standards, adherence to federal and state laws, and making accessibility a standard part of the way we do things. Key provisions include:
- Allowing government entities to improve accessibility over time. Government entities can comply by posting an accessibility statement on their website and meeting at least one or a combination of the five following options: 1) WCAG compliance, 2) offering alternate versions, 3) providing reasonable accommodations or modifications, 4) demonstrating progress on accessibility improvements, and 5) choosing the technology that best meets accessibility standards and business needs.
- Undue burden is available when technology doesn’t fit into an exception and the government entity is unable to meet any of the five options for compliance.
- Requiring public entities to clearly direct users on how to report accessibility issues.
- Defining limited exceptions from technical standards, mirroring existing federal exceptions, which guide public entities on how to prioritize their accessibility work.
You can read a summary of the rules on the OIT Hearings and Rulemaking webpage and find guidance, templates and support materials on the Technology Accessibility Program (TAP) webpage and the Plain Language Guide. TAP will continue to publish additional guidance over the coming weeks. If you have any questions, email oit_rules@state.co.us.