Dennis Deacon’s Post

So exciting to learn about and share the State of Maryland's launch of their Accessibility Officer Initiative. It's an effort to train state agency executives about the latest trends about accessible design and how they can gradually lead its implementation at their agency. And as Maryland's “accessibility officers” strive to better meet the needs of people who are blind or deaf, or have cognitive or other disabilities, Access Sciences is also pressing the gas to take Electronic Document Management System (#EDMS) efficiency to the next level by not only making public information digital, findable, usable, valuable… but accessible for all.  For over 2 decades, it's been our mission to " tame information chaos" by helping state agencies engage their constituents in a self-service manner for Public Information Requests (#PIRs). Housing millions of public records, our custom-built EDMS platform equips leaders with actionable insights to drive policy and operational enhancements. https://lnkd.in/d3Ec22kD #DigitalEquity #StateGovernmentMaryland #Accessibility

#SLG organizations are taking big steps to make digital services more accessible for all! Discover the latest innovations in improving online access and inclusivity in Government services. See how these efforts are reshaping the #citizenexperience: https://ow.ly/pT0X30sHTq4

Today I’m sharing some resources for how to get started with accessibility at your company! Every company benefits from incorporating accessibility into their processes. Even if someone has said that your company doesn’t have any disabled customers. But most companies don’t have a formal accessibility team. Sometimes there are accessibility champions. And sometimes there's one person who tries to bring up accessibility in meetings. And lots of times people talk about how they should do more about accessibility, but nothing ends up happening. If you’ve been meaning to figure out how to make your process more inclusive then that’s great! It's way easier to start doing accessibility on your own terms before someone in the legal field tells you that you have to! Here are some resources to help you add accessibility into the way you and your company work: - Accessibility Beyond Compliance Playbook from Ad Hoc LLC (page and checklists) - https://lnkd.in/e2iNax86 - The Accessible Organisation: The success and challenges of creating a culture of accessibility from Nomensa (1 hour long video) - https://lnkd.in/ezT63zEs - Creating a culture of accessibility in your organization from Accessibility.com (article) - https://lnkd.in/es7w-V-m - A Guide to Creating a Successful Digital Accessibility Program from TPGi (article) - https://lnkd.in/ecqfxwXU - How To Create A Culture Of Digital Accessibility from UsableNet (55 minute video) - https://lnkd.in/eU-Xi3T5 - How to Start Building an Accessibility Strategy From Scratch from 3Play Media (article) -  https://lnkd.in/eVjcGQRu - Start with Accessibility from W3C (article) -  https://lnkd.in/eGJ39EmF If you've got good resources feel free to share them in the comments! #Accessibility #A11y #AccessibilityMatters #UserExperience

“Building and sustaining an accessible Federal technology environment is an operational imperative given that 25 percent (61 million) of adults in the United States have a disability.[5] Within the Federal workforce, 17 percent of employees surveyed in 2022 identified as having a disability.[6] The actual numbers may even be larger than reported because of evolving concepts and perceptions of disability.[7]” … “A large number of people (for example, spouses, partners, family members, friends, neighbors, and professionals) also provide support to individuals with disabilities. In the United States, an estimated 40 million people are caregivers who provide support to a person with a disability.[8] Accessible ICT gives people with disabilities more independence and can reduce the need for assistance from others. The Federal Government cannot fulfill its obligations and effectively provide services to the public without responding to the needs of such a large segment of the population.” #AMSupportStandards

Three Common Excuses for Inaccessibility in Businesses Despite legal requirements and societal expectations, many businesses remain inaccessible to people with disabilities. Here are three common excuses often cited by businesses and why they fall short: 1. Cost Concerns - Excuse: "Making our business accessible is too expensive." - Reality: While some accessibility modifications can incur costs, many changes are affordable and can be implemented incrementally. Grants, tax incentives, and other financial assistance are often available to offset expenses. Additionally, investing in accessibility can attract a broader customer base, ultimately boosting revenue. 2. Perceived Lack of Demand - Excuse: "We don’t have many customers with disabilities." - Reality: This excuse creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a business is inaccessible, people with disabilities will not patronize it, reinforcing the false perception of low demand. Furthermore, making a business accessible can attract not only individuals with disabilities but also their families, friends, and colleagues, broadening the customer base. 3. Complexity of Implementation - Excuse: "Making things accessible is too complicated." - Reality: Accessibility improvements can often be straightforward and are well-documented in various guidelines, such as those provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many changes, such as installing ramps, improving signage, or rearranging furniture for better mobility, are simple to implement. For more complex needs, consulting with disability advocacy organizations and accessibility experts can provide valuable guidance. Ensuring accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a moral imperative that fosters inclusivity and equality. Businesses that prioritize accessibility demonstrate a commitment to serving all members of the community and reaping the benefits of a diverse customer base. #business #businessdevelopment #accessibility #ada #nomoreexcuses #disability #disabilityrights #youtube

In recent times, we've been discussing the significance of digital accessibility and why it matters. However, let's consider it from a business perspective. Over 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability. Just imagine the potential reach if your website is accessible to everyone. For more information about #DigitalAccessibility and how it can affect your business, check the first comment. #Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #CMG #UserExperience #WebAccessibility

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination based on disability in the federal landscape, and includes equal accessibility to electronic information. Although the details are slightly more prescriptive, the goal of Section 508 is to make sure the same information is available to everyone. In this week's Throwback Thursday blog, Senior Consultant Lisa Prather discusses three key considerations for organizations to increase everyone's awareness of accessibility needs and create a plan to empower 508 compliance personnel. #DEIA #LearningandDevelopment #Accessibility #Technology #AccessibleTechnology #508Compliance

Accessibility isn't a project; it's a process. It takes time and commitment, but a strong plan will help all of your digital assets become usable to people with disabilities. Learn more about creating an accessibility strategy: https://hubs.ly/Q02zF1jt0 #Accessibility #DigitalAccessibility #A11y

Which Organizations Do Section 508 Compliance Requirements Affect? > Excellent article by Userway: https://lnkd.in/ehZNajca < Section 508 is a federal legislation, but it may also impact: Financially assisted (U.S. government) state, county, and civil authorities  Federally assisted universities, museums, galleries, medical centers, and other organizations.  Contractors spanning all sizes and services that work with the U.S. government. Section 508 guidelines do not, however, apply to agency-operated technology concerning national security systems. The law also excludes conformance that causes extreme burdens or requires a foundational change in the nature of ICT. Nonetheless, in these instances, organizations still must provide alternatives for people with disabilities to access information and services.

TPGi helps organizations develop and implement a strategy to address current digital accessibility issues and build capacity to ensure that accessibility is integrated into all aspects of organizational activity that affects its digital resources. Find out more... #DigitalAccessibility #Accessibility #A11y