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#189: Breaking Digital Barriers in Washington State

From AI to ADA Compliance: How Technology is Revolutionizing Government Digital Accessibility

Washington State CISO & DSB CIO showcase digital accessibility tech and share guidance on ADA Title II compliance for state government websites.

The TechTables Newsletter is proudly brought to you by our national partner, SentinelOne

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INSIDE TODAY’S ISSUE:

  • 🎬 [New Episode #189] Washington State technology leaders reveal how AI tools and new ADA standards are breaking down digital barriers for government digital accessibility initiatives.

  • 🤝 January 2025 TechTables Collaboratory Guest Speaker, Andrea Ballinger, Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer at Oregon State University

  • 😃 Welcome to the 🔒 member-exclusive edition 🔒 of the TechTables Collaboratory!

  • 🤝 The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit: Kicking off 2025 to Defend, Protect, and Secure

Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.


Understanding WCAG: Digital Accessibility Standards

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have been shaping inclusive digital experiences since 1999. These globally recognized standards ensure digital content is accessible to everyone, including people with visual, auditory, and cognitive disabilities.

Key WCAG requirements include:

  • Alt text for images, replacing meaningless identifiers like "image54378" with clear descriptions

  • Form timeout prevention to accommodate users who need extra time

  • Color contrast standards for better readability

  • Document structure and navigation requirements

  • Keyboard accessibility features

Implementation tip: When contracting new technology solutions, specifically require "WCAG 2.1 compliance (or soon 2.2)" rather than general accessibility terms. One state agency faced a year-long deployment delay due to vague contract language.

Learn more about digital accessibility standards below (1:43 seconds) 👇

FEATURING:

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • How DSB's Orientation and Training Center helps individuals who lose vision learn essential skills - from computer literacy to independent living and employment skills

  • The impact of Title II ADA changes on state and local government websites and mobile apps

  • How enterprise browsers are evolving, with Gartner predicting universal adoption by 2032

  • Why human-centered design is crucial for accessibility and the importance of proper website assessments over overlay solutions

  • Real-world demonstrations of assistive technologies like Seeing AI and the transformative potential of services like Aira

  • Why accessibility should be built into initial design and why it's often less expensive than organizations assume


RELATED EPISODE:


🎬 Welcome to the 🔒 member-exclusive edition 🔒 of the TechTables Collaboratory!

Each month, we deliver fresh, innovative insights to inspire connection, spark bold ideas, and transform the way you tackle public sector challenges—straight from our Monthly Forum call on the 1st Thursday of every month.

This month’s featured guest speaker is Andrea Ballinger, Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer at Oregon State University.

Join the TechTables Collaboratory before this Thursday at 11:00 AM to be on our next monthly call!

Check out the TechTables Collaboratory


Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways you can connect with TechTables:

1. The TechTables Newsletter

Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.


2. 🤝 The Collaboratory

What is the TechTables Collaboratory?

It's the Exclusive Peer Network for Senior Technology Leaders in Public Sector, nationwide. The Collaboratory: A 100% Public Sector, Vendor-Free Private Community.

Membership Benefits Include:

  • 📅 Monthly Group Calls – 90-minute virtual sessions where public sector leaders dive deep into challenges and share actionable insights.

  • 🤝 Collaboratory Roundtable Meetups – Exclusive in-person gatherings to foster collaboration and connection.

  • 🏨 Hotel Accommodations on Us – Your stay is covered during TechTables events, so you can focus on what matters most—building relationships and driving innovation.

Bonus:

  • 🗂️ Episode-Specific Leader Guides – Actionable takeaways and insights from each session, designed to help you empower your team and implement new ideas immediately.

Check out the TechTables Collaboratory


3. 🎥 Live Events: Join us at TechTables live events—whether hosted by us or in partnership with industry leaders—where we bring together senior technology leaders. Experience exclusive networking, collaborative sessions, and inspiring discussions that spotlight and elevate public sector leadership.

Email Joe at joe@techtables.com to get on our private 2025 event waitlist.

4. 🤝 The Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit: Kicking off 2025 to Defend, Protect, and Secure: bringing together government and private sector leaders quarterly to strengthen collective defense capabilities against rising cyber threats.

The virtual summit focuses on building resilient security frameworks through topics like Zero Trust and AI-enabled operations, uniting CIOs and CISOs to protect critical infrastructure and government services.

📧 Interested? Email Joe at joe@techtables.com

The TechTables Newsletter is proudly brought to you by our national partner, Verizon

Verizon Frontline is the most advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most. Click here to check out the solutions built for first responders.

TechTables
The Public Sector Show by TechTables
The Podcast and Community for Public Sector CIOs and CISOs.
Welcome to the The Public Sector Show by TechTables, featuring human-centric stories from C-level technology leaders. Hosted by Joe Toste, you'll gain valuable insights on current issues and challenges faced by top leaders.
Through interviews, speaking engagements, and live podcast tour events, we unite public sector CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and technology leaders in fostering collaboration and meaningful connections in the ever-evolving technology landscape.