Task Force Related to the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities - Government Subcommittee

The public is invited to join the discussion below to provide feedback on any one or more of the ideas from the Government Subcommittee of the Task Force Related to the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities. For each idea, the subcommittee invites your thoughts on: 

1. What do you see as the strengths or benefits of this idea?
2. What would be any areas of concern, unintended consequences or other implications?
3. Do you have specific revisions, additions or key elements relating to this particular idea that you would like the subcommittee to consider?

Ideas under consideration by subcommittees are posted on each subcommittee page. Prior to developing their actual recommendations, members are sharing initial ideas here with the public for input. In some cases, the subcommittee may share multiple ideas that address the same issue, barrier or challenge. Subcommittees are sharing ideas on a rolling basis, generally by topic. Please check back regularly throughout July and August for additional ideas. 

*Please note: If you do not see an issue addressed in the ideas you review online for feedback, check the agendas, minutes and videos from the group meetings.*

Government Subcommittee Ideas Relating to Running for Elected Office

1. Require that any venue or facility being used for any official campaign event or element of a campaign be ADA compliant and that such compliance be certified by an appropriate government body (state, county, city or town) rather than allowing self-certification. If no such facilities are available, the jurisdiction holding the election should provide an accessible and compliant venue.
2. Require that every jurisdiction in Colorado designate a single individual or office that serves as the ADA compliance officer for the entire jurisdiction.
3. Require that every jurisdiction in Colorado have an employee whose sole position is ADA coordinator. Where the jurisdiction’s total FTE count is below a certain number, allow the person to serve in multiple capacities with the exception that no person shall serve as both ADA coordinator and risk management or other role that may reasonably be seen as in conflict with the duties of the ADA coordinator. Note: This may require a timeline for compliance that may phase in county positions ahead of city or town in smaller jurisdictions in which case the timeline for implementation should describe the role of such county officials in supporting cities or towns until or unless they fill such roles.
4. Direct the Secretary of State to establish a single, fully accessible, multiple format resource outlining all election and campaign processes, requirements and information.
5. Direct the Secretary of State to develop and maintain a guide of ADA and CADA compliance requirements and accessibility best practices for use my any jurisdiction that conducts elections in the State of Colorado.
6. Require any jurisdiction conducting elections in Colorado to provide locally specific information similar to that discussed in Items 4 and 5 above..
7. Direct the Secretary of State to develop and require the statewide use of a secure, fully accessible means for electronic signature gathering to secure placement on ballots for elected office and require any political party nominating candidates in Colorado to comply with such requirements.
8. Require any political party nominating candidates in Colorado that any vendors generally necessary to be used to seek the party nomination be required to certify and demonstrate that all services, technology and software are fully accessible.

Government Subcommittee Ideas Relating to Serving in Elected Office

1. Require that all software or services reasonably necessary for an elected official to conduct any aspect of their work be fully accessible or that a functionally comparable alternative be provided.
2. Require that the State and every jurisdiction in Colorado provide an easy-to-access platform for constituent video participation in any meeting or process that is open to public.
3. Require that any modification to any government building, regardless of the change of use or not, include all other modifications necessary for the building or facility to be fully ADA compliant as part of such modification with a fixed timeline for completion.
4. Provide for a “Demographic Note” be added to any bill addressing the rights and ability of a Coloradan with a disability to run for or serve in elected office and require an audit of any fiscal note attached to such bills. Note: a similar idea has been discussed relating to working for government, participating in government discussions and for accessing government services.
5. Establish a timeline of not more than five years within which the state shall be required to ensure the availability of an audio and wayfinding program that allows a person who is blind or visually impaired to independently navigate the state capitol building.
6. Require the House of Representatives and the Senate to provide auxiliary aids and services to any member of the general assembly upon request.