Now’s the time to set your digital accessibility goals, timelines, and tasks

A clear vision and current evaluation

So where to begin? Start with establishing a clear vision and evaluation of your current state of digital accessibility. If your digital assets have already been audited, you likely know any areas in need of improvement. If not, connect with experts who can perform accessibility reviews and identify areas for remediation. This gives you a baseline. 

From there, your roadmap should include these core elements:

• Goals: Set measurable goals for digital accessibility within your agency or department. In addition to ensuring compliance with standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and your state’s accessibility laws and policies, identify other challenges and opportunities that may need closer attention.
• Stakeholder engagement: Engage with government agencies, nonprofits, and vendors who specialize in digital accessibility. Reach out to advocacy groups and individuals with disabilities to foster inclusivity and ensure diverse perspectives are considered and reflected in your roadmap.
• Resource allocation: Given the constraints of finite resources, effective allocation is essential. Turn to experts who can take your roadmap and immediately address any areas of need. Or be proactive and get your digital assets in order so you can face future audits with confidence and avoid financial penalties for non-compliance. 
• Training and capacity building: Consider forming partnerships with vendors that bring accessibility expertise and can both perform work and provide training to your staff. Start making accessibility a full lifecycle priority rather than an activity held off until the end of the development lifecycle. Be forward-looking and prioritize inclusive design training so your team can build only accessible digital assets from now on.
• Implementation plan: This is where the rubber meets the road. Outline the steps for implementing accessibility improvements across your digital platforms and services. Include specific tasks, timelines, responsibilities, and mechanisms for monitoring progress. If you need the support of an external vendor, your implementation plan can also serve as the foundation of your procurement efforts.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Even when you have fully accessible digital assets, your work is not done. Continuous monitoring and evaluation remain important as digital landscapes evolve and updated accessibility requirements emerge. Regular reviews keep your agency or department on the right track.