Short-term Initiatives

There are several steps that can enhance website accessibility without requiring too much effort or time. We want to highlight some information from Appendix A of our Resource Guide:
  • Quick fixes: Many of the most urgent website accessibility features can be done relatively quickly in-house. These include ensuring that page titles and hyperlink texts are clear and informative; images, forms and other elements are labeled with alt-text; underlying semantic structure distinguish between headings and text, and web pages work with keyboard-only.
  • Add an Accessibility link to the footer material on each web page. The link should at least lead to the website’s notice of nondiscrimination, provide information about support services, and include a contact point for grievances.
  • Add American Sign Language to language-access pages, where ASL users may search for interpretive services.
  • Start building accessibility culture. Create in-house meet-ups of staff interested in accessibility. Designate accessibility champions in each department. Point all designers and other champions to this resource guide, and especially to free training, newsletters and continuing education resources (included in resources in Appendices C & D).
  • Partner with libraries and community organizations during Open Enrollment. Public libraries with assistive-technology and accessibility programs can be partners in the Open Enrollment process, as can community-based organizations that support people with disabilities. In this way, people with disabilities not only receive practical assistance, but moral support and connection to community.
  • Tap existing accessibility expertise among current contractors and vendors. The request also affords these third parties an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to accessibility that is fast becoming an expectation

The Stakeholders

People with Disabilities

The primary beneficiaries of these recommendations are people who have disabilities. Universal and accessible information design and content can overcome barriers that prevent access and directly affect quality of life.

WAHBE

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange cannot fulfill its mission if people cannot understand, access, or act upon information about health benefits. An accessibility plan ensures WAHBE achieves the goal of serving the residents of Washington State.

Everyone
We all benefit when information is more user-friendly and when we all have convenient access through multiple modes and means. Even more importantly, the more people have access to sustained health benefits, the more we all are healthy. Widespread individual health and wellness equates to public health.
Contact us
Please contact us with your questions and so that we may pay forward the assistance we received from stakeholders, advocates, and subject matter experts 

Sarah Carnes sarah.carnes@va.gov
Johanna Jacobsen Kiciman jmjk@uw.edu
Kathleen Sullivan kathlen@uw.edu
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