The purpose of this policy is to provide standards and responsibilities to ensure Douglas County digital content is accessible. For the purposes of this policy, "accessible" means that a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to interact with digital content in an equally effective and integrated manner.

Scope

This policy applies to all web content, applications, and social media posted or maintained by Douglas County, hereafter referred to as "digital content." This policy does not replace or supersede any other applicable ADA compliance requirements.

Digital accessibility standards

Douglas County shall aim to make all digital content conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1, Level AA Conformance (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) as required by the April 24, 2024, Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act Title II final rule.

Existing content

As of August 2026, existing content, including the dgcoks.gov website and other content currently used by the public to access governmental services is being audited for accessibility. Site content and file remediation is underway with a completion goal of April 26, 2027.

New content

Beginning on the date of the adoption of this policy, all new digital content shall be created and reviewed as outlined in the Douglas County Digital Accessibility Procedures.

Procurement considerations

Douglas county personnel are responsible for ensuring that contracted vendors who create or provide digital content are aware of this policy and conform to the Digital Accessibility Standards and Douglas County policy to the fullest extent possible as applicable. The Douglas County Digital Accessibility Procedures outline further strategies for securing the greatest possible level of compliance.

Responsibility

Improving digital accessibility requires the attention and commitment of all employees.

Douglas County Department Heads and are responsible for ensuring digital content created or published by their respective departments on any platform complies with the Digital Accessibility Standards. Douglas County IT will provide training and support and will monitor new web content for accessibility. The Douglas County Communications and Media Coordinator will monitor social media activity for accessibility.

The Douglas County Accessibility Statement and this Policy will be posted on the Douglas County website.

Exceptions

The following types of digital content are exempt from the Digital Accessibility Standards:

• Web content created before April 26, 2027 that meets all of the following: 1) Being kept only for reference research or recordkeeping, 2) Located in an archive folder, and 3) has not been changed since it was archived.
• Documents (word processing, presentations, PDF, or spreadsheet files) which were available on the county website before April 26, 2027, and are NOT currently being used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in government services, activities, or programs.
• Content posted by a third party where the third party is not posting due to contractual, licensing, or other arrangements with Douglas County.
• Individualized documents (word processing, presentations, PDF, or spreadsheet files) which are about a specific person, property, or account, and are password-protected or otherwise secured.
• Preexisting (before April 26, 2027) social media posts.

Feedback and remediation

Members of the public who are unable to access specific digital content can alert Douglas County departments through normal communication channels or by completing the website Accessibility Feedback Form.

Douglas County employees can submit an IT Help Desk ticket to request digital accessibility remediation.

On going remediation to ensure website and application content complies with the standards will be performed by with the department responsible for the content in question in coordination with Douglas County Information Technology.

Remediation to ensure social media content complies with the standards will be performed by that social media account's managing department in coordination with the Douglas County Communications and Media Coordinator.

Revision

This policy establishes internal guidelines and expectations for the purpose of promoting and advancing digital accessibility at Douglas County. Douglas County reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. This policy will be periodically reviewed.