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Contract - Website Accessibility Support & Training
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Liz Cooper, Public Communications, Director, 704-283-3587
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to 1) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, 2) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and 3) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager's discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Public Communications is seeking approval to enter into a contract with Level Access to provide an accessibility audit for multiple Union County websites (unioncountync.gov, Sheriff's Office website, Library website, Board of Elections website), as well as accessibility training and education for 50 employees through an online portal. Public Communications is leading a robust project to improve the accessibility of our websites to comply with newly published rules from the Department of Justice, as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Based on Union County's population size, we have until April 2026 to comply. This agreement will ensure we are working to meet that compliance date and prioritize these necessary enhancements by investing in additional tools, resources and training. Ensuring our website is accessible to all individuals is not only a legal requirement but also aligned with our commitment to serve all members of our community and provide equitable access to information. As you are aware, our website serves as a primary platform for disseminating information, providing services, and engaging with our residents, community partners, businesses, and visitors. The current state of the primary website falls short of accessibility standards, thereby excluding a significant portion of our audience, including individuals with disabilities. Our current accessibility score, as rated by a third-party tool, is 85.5%.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The an...
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