Colorado HB21-1110 Overholdelse af tilgængelighedskrav: Hvad du skal vide inden 1. juli 2025

Vigtige konklusioner

• • Extended Compliance Timeline: School districts have until July 1, 2025 to ensure digital content meets accessibility standards, with a focus on demonstrating good-faith efforts.

• • Risks of Non-Compliance: Districts could face significant financial penalties and potential legal action if they fail to meet the required accessibility guidelines.

• • Lightspeed Systems’ Solutions: Lightspeed provides essential tools and resources, including VPATs for their products, to assist districts in achieving compliance effectively.

Colorado HB21-1110 Overholdelse af tilgængelighedskrav: Hvad du skal vide inden 1. juli 2025

Colorado school districts face a fast-approaching deadline to ensure digital accessibility. Beginning July 1, 2025, House Bill 21-1110 requires that all public-facing digital content and software used by state and local government entities — including K–12 districts — meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards.

Here’s what district leaders need to know and how Lightspeed Systems can help.

What is Colorado HB21-1110?

HB21-1110 is a Colorado law passed in 2021 that requires digital content and software provided by state and local governments (including school districts) to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes websites, videos, documents, mobile apps, and software platforms.

The law aligns with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, a widely recognized international standard.

When do the requirements take effect?

Originally set to begin in 2024, enforcement has been extended. Districts now have until July 1, 2025 to comply — but only if they can demonstrate good-faith progress.

What happens if a district doesn’t comply?

Districts that do not meet accessibility standards may face:

• • Civil penalties of up to $3,500 per violation

• • Lawsuits from individuals or advocacy groups

• • Public scrutiny and loss of trust from the community

To avoid these risks, Colorado’s updated bill (HB24-1454) outlines steps that count as “good faith efforts,” including publishing an accessibility roadmap, offering a method for users to report accessibility issues, and documenting ongoing progress.

How does this apply to edtech vendors?

Districts must ensure that any third-party software or platforms used in classrooms or administration — including learning management systems, filtering tools, and classroom management platforms — are also compliant.

That’s where VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) come in. A VPAT outlines how a product meets accessibility criteria and is a critical document for vetting edtech vendors.

How can Lightspeed Systems help?

Lightspeed supports districts in two key ways:

Expedite vendor accessibility review with Lightspeed Insight™

Lightspeed Insight™ gives you visibility into every app used across your district. Developed in partnership with Denver Public Schools, the VPAT tagging feature marks apps in your inventory that have available accessibility documentation — saving you time and helping you demonstrate progress.

Rely on Lightspeed’s own accessibility standards

Lightspeed Systems provides VPATs for its own products:

• • Lightspeed Filter™

• • Lightspeed Alert™

• • Lightspeed Classroom™

• • Lightspeed Insight™

These documents confirm that Lightspeed tools are designed with accessibility in mind and align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA where applicable.

What should districts do now?

To prepare for July 1, 2025:

• • Audit your current tech stack to see which apps lack accessibility documentation

• • Request VPATs from vendors if they aren’t already available

• • Use Lightspeed Digital Insight™ to streamline the process and track progress

• • Publish an accessibility plan and ensure you’re following HB24-1454 guidelines to show good faith

Afsluttende tanker

Colorado’s HB21-1110 is a major step toward digital access for all — and compliance isn’t optional. Lightspeed Systems is committed to helping Colorado districts in their good faith efforts towards full compliance with HB21-1110. Let Lightspeed be your compliance partner.

Have more questions? Check out our Colorado HB21-1110 FAQ or learn more by planlægger en demo i dag.