The Penrose Water District (PWD) is committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have access to our services, programs, and digital content.

In accordance with House Bill 21-1110 and the Colorado Anti-discrimination Act (CADA), this plan outlines our strategy for developing, implementing, and maintaining accessible digital content in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

Objectives

1. Establish Accessibility Standards
   Adopt and implement the accessibility standards developed by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) for all digital content and services.
   
   
2. Develop Written Accessibility Plans
   Create and maintain a written accessibility plan that ensures compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines by July 1, 2024.
   
   
3. Promote and Monitor Accessibility
   Promote accessibility awareness among staff and monitor the implementation of accessibility standards in all digital content and IT infrastructure.
   
   
4. Collaborate with Stakeholders
   Work with employees, division heads, and users of PWD services to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
   
   
5. Provide Training and Resources
   Offer training and resources to PWD staff to support the creation and maintenance of accessible digital content.

Accessibility Standards

PWD will adopt the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines as the standard for all digital content, including but not limited to:

• Text
• Links
• Images
• Forms
• PDFs and documents
• Embedded third-party applications

Implementation Plan

1. Assessment and Audit
   • Conduct a comprehensive audit of all existing digital content and platforms to identify areas of non-compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
   • Prioritize the remediation of high-impact areas that affect the largest number of users.
     
     
2. Development of Accessibility Policies
   • Draft and adopt an accessibility policy that outlines PWD’s commitment to digital accessibility.
   • Ensure that the policy is communicated to all staff and stakeholders.
     
     
3. Content Creation and Remediation
   • Ensure all new digital content created after the adoption of this plan meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
   • Remediate existing content to meet accessibility standards, prioritizing content that is most frequently accessed by users.
   • Utilize tools and resources for creating accessible documents and forms.
     
     
4. Training and Education
   • Provide regular training for staff on digital accessibility best practices.
   • Offer resources and guidance on accessible content creation and maintenance.
     
     
5. Monitoring and Reporting
   • Implement a regular review process to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards.
   • Develop a system for reporting accessibility issues and tracking the resolution of identified problems.

Liability and Compliance

PWD acknowledges that liability for noncompliant content lies with the entity that manages the content. We are committed to avoiding discrimination against individuals with disabilities by ensuring all digital content is accessible.

Any noncompliance issues will be addressed promptly to prevent legal action and potential fines.

Conclusion

PWD is dedicated to enhancing the accessibility of its digital content to ensure equal access for all individuals.

By adhering to the standards set forth in House Bill 21-1110 and the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, we aim to create an inclusive digital environment that serves the needs of our diverse community.

Contact Information

For questions or support regarding this accessibility plan, please contact:

Penrose Water District
210 Broadway St
Penrose, Colorado 81240

Phone: (719) 372-3289
Email: office@penrosewaterdistrict.com