NASCIO Issues Guidance for State CIOs on IT Accessibility

To mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) today released a brief on accessibility in information technology (IT) procurement. This is the first brief in a two-part publication on accessibility in procurement. Part II, to be released in August, will include states in practice and adoption information for states.

This initial brief introduces a new, policy-driven approach to information and communications technology accessibility for state CIOs, procurement organizations, and vendors. Policy-Driven Adoption for Accessibility (PDAA) can help strategically drive a culture of accessibility, generating accessible products and services. The benefits of using PDAA tools include improving marketability and reducing risk to both vendors and procurement organizations by addressing inclusiveness and equal opportunity in the digital age.

“States have laws in place that apply to accessibility, but have often struggled to address accessibility requirements as part of IT procurements. State CIOs, working alongside state procurement officials, have a real opportunity to change the current accessibility landscape to better benefit the citizens they serve,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director.

NASCIO has long advocated for a broad interpretation of enterprise architecture and a governance model with a connection to business processes and a roadmap that informs both the state’s procurement of IT and the supplier community. This approach will inform the marketplace regarding the state’s policy intentions, guide investments, and reduce potential risks of poor outcomes.

Read the brief at www.NASCIO.org/PDAA.