Mandate to Mindset: Enterprise Accessibility for State and Local Governments
taught by:
Jan McSorley
co-presented by:
John Kirkwood
Session Summary
This session shows how ADA Title II requirements can help your organization move beyond compliance to building better systems and stronger cross-functional collaboration. Practical, customizable tools for getting started will be covered, including a simple governance model, how to set and track goals, and strategies for holding vendors accountable for accessibility. Together, these approaches can help organizations move away from reactive, one-off efforts and toward a culture where teams work together, share responsibility, and continuously improve access for everyone.
Description
This session will be guided by presenters with direct experience integrating accessibility within state and local government organizations. The session explores how organizations can turn ADA Title II regulatory requirements into practical, actionable steps in a collaborative, cross-functional model.
Participants will be introduced to a simple governance model that clarifies roles, responsibilities, and decision-making pathways across leadership and implementation teams. The session also walks through how to integrate accessibility into existing workflows, such as procurement, content creation, and vendor management, so that accessibility becomes part of everyday operations rather than a last-minute fix.
A key focus of the session is the Vendor in Good Standing (VIGS) framework, which provides a structured yet flexible approach to working with vendors. Attendees will learn how to shift the burden of proof to vendors, request meaningful accessibility documentation (such as ACRs and roadmaps), and track progress over time in a way that supports both accountability and continuous improvement.
By the end of the session, attendees will leave with concrete tools and strategies they can begin using immediately to operationalize accessibility to support compliance, reduce risk, and improve outcomes for everyone.
Practical Skills
- Describe four key components of an effective governance model and outline the steps to customize a model for their own organization.
- Recognize six strategic focus areas and explain how each supports the development and sustainability of an enterprise accessibility program.
- Apply at least six procurement practices that shift accountability for accessibility conformance to vendors.