Digital Accessibility
Digital Accessibility and Colorado Law HB21-1110
Effective July 1, 2024
Colorado House Bill21-1110 requires higher education institutions in the state to adopt policies and procedures ensuring that digital communications and information technology are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Beginning July 1, this bill makes it a civil rights violation for a government agency to exclude people with disabilities from receiving services or benefits because of a lack of accessibility. At CU Anschutz, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that the content we create is accessible, providing equal access to digital materials for all.
What does this mean for the university community?
Our campus embodies a culture of commitment and understanding, recognizing that all individuals should be able to access digital content. CU Anschutz actively promotes inclusivity and accessibility for all members of our community, including employees, students, as well as prospective employees and students. In addition, each department, school and college is responsible for making their content accessible. Each campus entity will be responsible for any fines related to accessibility violations identified after July 1, 2024.
The Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology has established rules regarding accessibility standards. The office has outlined the following penalties for noncompliance:
- A court order requiring compliance;
- Monetary damages;
- Attorney’s fees; or
- A statutory fine of $3,500 payable to each plaintiff for each violation, who must be someone from the disability community. For example, after the July 1, 2024, deadline, if an individual tries to use a website that is not accessible, the government entity may be subject to a $3,500 statutory fine that is payable to the individual for each violation.
HB21-1110 Colorado Laws for Persons with Disabilities Resources
- Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology HB21-1110 FAQs
- Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology Technology Accessibility Rules
- Plain Language Guide to the State Technology Accessibility Rules
Resources
For support and guidance on adhering to HB21-1110 and our digital accessibility policy, please visit our Digital Accessibility Standards and Resources page, linked below.