Getting Your Website Compliant with Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110

Taffer Computers
logo March 13 2024

Are you worried about making your website friendly for everyone in Colorado? You are not alone. Many organizations are rushing to meet the new legal requirements put on by the state legislature. One important change is due to Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110, which sets rules for how to properly make websites accessible. This new law makes sure websites of state and local public entities are accessible to people with disabilities and requires them to be 100% HB 21-1110 compliance or face fines.

Today we will guide you on how to get your website in line with House Bill 21-1110 without feeling overwhelmed. We’ll explain what the bill means, who it affects, and steps you can take right now to avoid penalties while making your site compliant.

CO House Bill 21-1110 law and compliance

By the end, you’ll know exactly what needs doing. Ready? Let’s Go!

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado’s House Bill 21 – 1110 requires state and local government agencies make their websites accessible for people with disabilities. This law aims to prevent discrimination and ensure equal online access.
  • Private businesses offering public accommodations must also follow web accessibility standards or face penalties. Making websites compliant involves following WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, which include making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
  • Resources like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA and state – provided training programs are available to help entities meet these new requirements. Schools, government agencies, and businesses can use these tools for guidance on becoming compliant.
  • Noncompliance with House Bill 21 – 1110 could lead to civil rights violations and substantial penalties for both governmental bodies and private entities. The penalty can be up to $3500.00 in fines, per violation.

Understanding Colorado’s HB 21-1110 compliance and bill

Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 defines discrimination and applies to state and local government agencies, with specific exemptions.

Definition of discrimination

Discrimination means treating people unfairly because they are different in some way. This can involve race, gender, age, or disability. The Colorado website accessibility law makes sure that this unfair treatment doesn’t happen to people with disabilities when using websites and digital services.

It sets rules so everyone has equal access to online content.

The law specifically points out that excluding someone from a service because the website isn’t accessible counts as discrimination. All state and local government agencies must follow these rules to make sure their websites can be used by everyone.

If they don’t, it’s considered a civil rights violation under Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110.

Requirement for state and local government agencies

Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 mandates state and local government agencies to adhere to established website accessibility standards. These regulations aim to guarantee that individuals with disabilities have equal access to online content and services provided by these agencies.

It is crucial for government entities in Colorado to comply with this law, as failure to do so could result in a state civil rights violation, jeopardizing the provision of services for all residents.

This legislation (HB 21-1110 compliance) is geared towards to making sure digital accessibility for persons with disabilities; aligning with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and upholding ADA requirements.

Entities exempt from compliance

Entities exempt from compliance with Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 include private businesses and non-governmental organizations. This means that state and local public entities are required to meet established website accessibility standards, while private businesses not providing public goods are not under the direct obligation of compliance.

However, it is important to note that ensuring web accessibility is crucial for all entities to avoid civil rights violations and ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.

This includes following WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines related to HB 21-1110 compliance, which aims to standardize web accessibility for all government and private-sector websites in the United States.

website compliance

Website Accessibility Requirements

Ensuring website accessibility is crucial for meeting the requirements of Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110. The principles of accessibility and deadlines must be adhered to strictly.

Principles of accessibility

Principles of website accessibility are crucial for ensuring equal access to online content and services for individuals with disabilities. Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 emphasizes compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, which include principles such as providing text alternatives for non-text content, offering sufficient color contrast, and designing keyboard-friendly navigation.

These principles aim to make web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. It is essential to prioritize these principles in website design and development to meet the required accessibility standards.

To achieve compliance with Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110, entities should focus on implementing WCAG 2.1 AA principles such as providing clear headings, descriptive link texts, and accessible forms.

Use of assistive technology

Assistive technology includes screen readers, magnifiers, and speech recognition software, enabling people with disabilities to access and navigate websites. Implementing alt text for images is vital to assistive technology users in understanding non-text content.

It’s essential that all government agencies and schools ensure their websites are compatible with such tools, ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities as mandated by Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110.

Moving forward to Website Accessibility Requirements..

Compliance deadlines

Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 sets compliance deadlines for state and local public entities to meet web accessibility standards. The law, passed in July 2021, requires government agencies to make a commitment to web accessibility.

Compliance with SB 23-244 and WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines is crucial to avoid civil rights violations and ensure equal access for all individuals. Noncompliance can result in penalties, making it essential for schools and government agencies to prioritize website accessibility improvements.

Moving on, let’s delve into the impact of Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 on businesses.

Impact on Businesses

HB 21-1110 compliance

Businesses in Colorado must be ensure HB 21-1110 compliance to avoid penalties and provide equal access to individuals with disabilities. Read more about the impact on businesses by exploring our blog.

Private businesses affected

Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 not only impacts state and local government agencies, but also affects private businesses. The law requires that private entities offering public accommodations must make their websites accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Noncompliance may result in penalties, making it essential for businesses to ensure equal access for all individuals. Additionally, complying with the website accessibility standards under HB 21-1110 is crucial to avoid civil rights violations and provide an easy use online experience for all users.

The impact of Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 extends beyond government agencies and directly influences how private businesses operate online.

Penalties for noncompliance

Failing to comply with Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110 could result in substantial penalties for businesses and organizations. Private entities that do not meet the web accessibility standards may face civil rights violations, leading to legal consequences and financial liabilities.

In addition, noncompliance could harm the reputation of these establishments and hinder their ability to provide equal access for individuals with disabilities. It is crucial for all affected entities to prioritize compliance with this legislation, aiming to avoid potential penalties while enhancing accessibility for all users.

Conclusion

Schools and government agencies must act now to get their websites up to speed with Colorado’s House Bill 21-1110. This law is a big deal for making sure everyone can use the internet, especially people with disabilities.

It sets clear rules on what makes a website easy for everyone to access.

Meeting these new standards might sound hard, but there are plenty of tools and guides out there to help. By following the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, your website will not only be more accessible but also more user-friendly for everyone.

This change isn’t just about avoiding penalties; it’s about doing the right thing. Making your website accessible opens it up to a wider audience and shows you care about every visitor’s experience.

Remember, accessibility is not just a one-time fix. Start working on making your site compliant today!

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