Background

The Town of Superior, Colorado, recognized the growing need to ensure its digital resources are accessible to all residents, including individuals with disabilities. With the increasing reliance on digital services, the town sought a solution to address current accessibility gaps while aligning with legal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Colorado House Bill 21-1110. To achieve this, Superior partnered with Nelnet Government Services, a leader in digital accessibility and compliance.

Objective

The primary goal of the partnership was to enhance the accessibility of Superior’s digital platforms, ensuring that all residents, regardless of their abilities, could access the town’s online services and resources. The town sought a comprehensive strategy that would align its digital presence with state and federal accessibility standards, thereby fostering a more inclusive digital environment for its residents.

Solution

Nelnet’s Accessibility Team – comprising both native and non-native users of assistive technologies, veteran software engineers, and web development experts – provided tailored solutions to enhance Superior’s digital services.

Key Services Provided

  1. Digital Accessibility Assessment: Nelnet thoroughly assessed Superior’s digital platforms, identifying existing accessibility barriers and areas for improvement.
  2. Comprehensive Digital Strategy: A strategic plan was developed to prioritize achievement of highest industry standards in accessibility by implementing advanced technological enhancements, with a focus on long-term sustainability and inclusivity.
  3. Testing and Remediation: Nelnet’s team rigorously tested the town’s digital tools and websites, followed by tailored remediation to ensure responsiveness and accessibility across devices.
  4. Accessibility Reporting: Detailed reports were provided, offering insights into current accessibility challenges and solutions, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
  5. Training and Best Practices: Nelnet delivered training sessions for Superior’s internal teams, ensuring they were equipped with best practices for maintaining digital accessibility.
  6. Regulatory Compliance: Ongoing support helped keep Superior’s digital resources aligned with the latest accessibility requirements and best practices.

Results

By partnering with Nelnet, the Town of Superior is on a clear path to achieving comprehensive digital accessibility. Key outcomes include:

  • Enhanced online access for residents with disabilities, leading to a more inclusive user experience.
  • Alignment with ADA and state-specific accessibility requirements, minimizing legal risks.
  • Improved accessibility to critical town services has contributed to an overall increase in the quality of life for residents with disabilities.

Conclusion

Nelnet’s engagement with the Town of Superior marks a significant milestone in improving digital accessibility for municipalities across Colorado. This project further solidifies Nelnet’s reputation as a trusted partner in digital accessibility, with prior successful collaborations with the City of Fort Collins, the Town of Parker, and the State of Colorado’s Office of Information Technology. As local governments increasingly prioritize inclusivity in their digital services, Nelnet continues to provide expert solutions that eliminate barriers and improve access for all.