Ensuring that all digital technologies and content are accessible for people with disabilities requires a multi-faceted approach. Computer scientists tend to focus on tools and technical standards. Lawyers tend to focus on statutes, regulations, and case law. Designers tend to focus on an inclusive design process. Even with all of these efforts, there is still a need to have a leader in an organization to “connect the dots” to ensure success in digital accessibility. This leader, often called a chief accessibility officer, chief information accessibility officer,  or a director of digital accessibility, is placed high in the organizational chart, and can coordinate between the various parts of an organization involved in digital accessibility, ensure that organizational goals and policies incorporate digital accessibility, and serve both internal (e.g. employees) and external stakeholders (e.g. citizens, students, and consumers). The role of chief accessibility officer originated in the tech industry, where companies such as Microsoft have empowered such leaders to ensure digital accessibility of their software and hardware and online services. Recently, a number of state governments have been empowering people in the role of chief accessibility officer, and these individuals have been among the leaders nationally in the digital accessibility movement. This leadership role will become especially important given the new regulation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, issued in 2024 and in effect in 2026, which requires a born-accessible approach to digital content, instead of remediation, for web sites and mobile apps of state and local entities (including universities).

Jonathan Lazar, director of the Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA) and professor at the University of Maryland, will give a presentation about digital accessibility, the role of the chief accessibility officer, and the new ADA Title II Rule. He will then lead a panel discussion with Andrew Drummond, who directs digital accessibility across the executive branch of Maryland state government, and Ana Palla, who directs digital accessibility across the University of Maryland. 

This event is made possible by the supporters of the Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Collection for Public Leadership Studies.

This event is being held over Zoom and the link to connect will be included in the event confirmation sent to those who register.