Americans with Disabilities Act:  Best Practices for Documents, Outreach, and Web Content Accessibility

1. ADOPT accessibility best practices for document preparation and public outreach efforts consistent with guidance for achieving compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
2. APPROVE the use of up to $10,000 in TAMC reserves to provide website accessibility support for the Transportation Agency; and
3. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to enter contracts in an amount not to exceed $10,000 with website accessibility consultants to enhance the Agency's website to meet federally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines;
4. AUTHORIZE the Executive Director to take such other further actions as may be necessary to fulfill the intent of the contracts, including approvals of future modifications or amendments that do not significantly alter the scope of work or change the approved contract term or amount.

In January 2018, the U.S. Access Board, an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities, adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0 Level AA) as the standard for website compliance. As a government entity, TAMC is required to comply with these guidelines. 

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Guidelines and Success Criteria are organized into four principles to assist those with visual impairments or other disabilities in interpreting websites:  perceivability, operability, understandability and robustness.  The strategies for assuring that websites meet these principals are as follows:

1.      Perceivablility

• Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
• Provide captions and other alternatives for multimedia.
• Create content that can be presented in different ways, including by assistive technologies, without losing meaning.Make it easier for users to see and hear content.

2.      Operability

• Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
• Give users enough time to read and use content.
• Do not use content that causes seizures.
• Help users navigate and find content.

3.      Understandability

• Make text readable and understandable.
• Make content appear and operate in predictable ways
• Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

4.      Robustness

• Maximize compatibility with current and future user tools

Adoption of these standards and requiring their use by TAMC consultants is intended to increase the ability of all individuals to understand the Agency's website and documents.

To implement this compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, it is recommended that the Transportation Agency adopt best practices (see attached) to support document development and public outreach. Staff developed these best practices for document compliance and public outreach after conducting online research and consulting with other public agencies in Monterey County. 

In addition, staff recommends that the Agency hire a consultant that specializes in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to review the existing TAMC website.  After conducting the initial review, the consultant will ensure the Transportation Agency's website consistently stays in compliance and accessible to all persons.