STARWEST 2021 Concurrent Session : Conducting an Agency Accessibility Audit

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Thursday, October 7, 2021 - 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Conducting an Agency Accessibility Audit

Often it is up to IT to conduct an accessibility audit. Most government organizations (and private ones for that matter) are hopelessly behind in digital accessibility and vulnerable to litigation. In addition to the legal requirements to be WCAG 2.0 and Section 508 compliant, being digitally accessible is simply the right thing to do. This is our success story of conducting an organization-wide audit, establishing a baseline, conducting a gap analysis, and recommending a remediation plan, all within six months in the one of the largest agencies in Washington State government. No contractors were hired and there is not a dedicated accessibility team. This well-coordinated effort is easily repeatable and can be done in your organization.

WA State Department of Licensing

Connie Widener has broad experience in software testing, accessibility, and customer relationships. Connie was the lead tester and coordinator of this accessibility audit. She has been widely recognized for her successful outcomes and is sought after for both technical accessibility training as well as professional development and team-building seminars. She is a seasoned speaker with a gift for storytelling. By always keeping the customer at the center of her approach, she brings a valuable perspective to making software accessible and easier to use for everyone.