Digital Accessibility by WeCo

See You at TAMIO . WEDNESDAY AM PRE CONFERENCE SESSIONS . Digital Accessibility by WECo ADA Web Rule Knowledge Builder and Tool Kit The ADA Web Rule doesn’t have to be a cause for panic in your agency. It can be an opportunity to build knowledge in your team and create stronger relationships with your community. It starts with understanding the needs of users with disabilities and builds through leveraging tools that may already be at your fingertips. This half-day workshop, taught by WeCo, accessibility experts who live with disabilities will cover: First Hour: Understanding the ADA Web Rule and People with Disabilities 1. What is digital accessibility and how does it impact real people? 2. Accessibility and the law 3. Accessibility standards and measures 4. Understanding our disabilities and digital interaction 5. Navigating digitally with a disability: demonstration and discussion Second Hour: Website Accessibility 1. Accessibility overlays versus genuine accessibility structure 2. Creating accessible website navigation structure 3. Accessible visuals: images, charts and more 4. Accessible forms and other interactive elements 5. Accessibility tools that can help Lynn Wehrman, Founder, President and CEO, Dane Dunham, Principal Accessibility Specialist, and Ellen DeCesare, Director of Accessibility Services, Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Authentic Accessibility Advice by human digital experts. Our mission is to support accessibility for all people, regardless of their disabilities by assisting the businesses, corporations and organizations they utilize. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers #Government #TAMIO #DisabilityIN #NOD

CONTENT VS CODE? Accessibility Daily Discord Challenges — Content Creators vs. Coders. Why It Matters Effective digital accessibility requires a binary approach. While coders build the foundational structure that allows screen readers and keyboards to interact with a page, content creators control the human-facing elements. Content Creators Writing descriptive alt text, avoiding generic "click here" links, and ensuring text is understandable — sans acronyms, abbreviations and internal terms. Coders Handling complex code execution and screen reader compatibility. Writing semantic HTML, managing keyboard focus traps for modal windows and maintaining robust responsive design. Content Creator Pain Points: • Subjectivity: Writing good, accurate alternative text for an image is highly subjective and requires human judgment. • Link Text: Content managers often default to phrases like "read more" instead of descriptive links like "Read the 2026 Accessibility Report," which frustrates screen reader users. • Automation Traps: Content creators often rely too heavily on automated accessibility plugins that miss the actual context and usability of the text. Coder Pain Points: • Technical Constraints: Developers must ensure custom-built components—like interactive menus, pop-ups, and image sliders—are fully keyboard-accessible and announce state changes properly. • Browser Inconsistencies: Coders frequently struggle because different browsers (Chrome, Safari, Edge) and screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver) interpret code differently. • ARIA Misuse: Coders are often tempted to use complex ARIA labels to "fix" bad code, which can actually break the experience for assistive technology users if done incorrectly.  Like to know if your website or app is accessible?  ASK US. It’s our mission! Get a FREE Assessment at theweco.com. Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Authentic Accessibility Advice by human digital experts.  "Our mission is to support accessibility for all people, regardless of their disabilities by assisting the businesses, corporations and organizations they utilize.” Lynn Wehrman. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers #B2B #B2C #Business #Government

TODAY 12:00N CT.  ADA HONEST DISCUSSIONS Websites + Manual Accessibility Audits. Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gmuFvKcP OR theweco .com/events. Website accessibility manual audits are one of the most effective and legally accepted methods in understanding your website’s accessibility issues, and how to bring it into ADA Web Rule conformance. Understanding how they work, and how to leverage them for individuals and teams, is crucial to meeting the requirements of the new web rule. This webinar will present an honest discussion panel including:     IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist certified professionals who conduct manual audits, and coach government communicators, and teams, in moving their websites to ADA conformance. This month’s panel will focus on: How a manual accessibility audits helps you comply with the ADA Web Rule. How much of your website needs to be included in a manual audit. Gaps that manual accessibility audits fill versus software accessibility checkers and overlays. How they can be leveraged as a learning tool for teams and individuals. How they assist with maintaining an ADA conformant website over time.  Ideas on how to manage multiple web properties for accessibility with manual audits. PANELISTS:  Joshua Andreasen, Business Technologist II, Washoe County NV. Alex Carlson, Public Affairs Manager, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. Ryan Roupe, Digital Media & Marketing Specialist, City of Eagan. Brian Lovely, Sr. Accessibility Specialist, Digital Accessibility by WeCo. MODERATOR:  Lynn Wehrman President Founder Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Authentic human digital experts providing manual audits and maintenance. QUESTIONS?  Ask! We’re here to help. theweco . com. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) #Government #Accessibility #ADA #WCAG #Education #Website #ManualAudit #HumanAudit #Mosquito

STAR of the Week! VETERANS. Thanks to our 17 million veterans. Re members: 7 million are veterans with disabilities. “Thanks for your service” is a start. But here’s a few other ways to show your appreciation. Drive for the DAV: The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Transportation Network desperately needs local volunteer drivers. You use their vehicles to transport vets to and from appointments, and you can coordinate hours that fit your schedule. Learn more or sign up via the DAV National Volunteer Page. https://lnkd.in/gmMetqW9 Not enough free time to drive? Run an errand or do yard work: Offer to help a homebound or physically disabled veteran in your neighborhood with lawn mowing, snow shoveling, or grocery pickup. Write thank-you notes: Spend a few minutes writing letters of gratitude, which can be distributed to hospitalized veterans through programs like the Red Cross or local veteran groups. Digital Accessibility by WeCo Authentic Accessibility Advice by human digital experts with disabilities. Our mission is to support accessibility for all people, regardless of their disabilities by assisting the businesses, corporations and organizations they utilize.” Lynn Wehrman. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) # #B2B #B2C #Business #Government #Veterans #DAV #MemorialDay

Our final interview in the "Race and Disability" series for Global Accessibility Awareness Day features "Paul's Story." Paul shares his experiences of being born in Jamaica with an eye condition and limited resources. His journey has inspired him to advocate for resources for others facing similar challenges. You can watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/g_SCwRcy

As part of our Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebration, we are continuing our interview series on the intersectionality of race and disability, featuring Nina's Story. In this interview, Nina shares her experience of becoming blind as a teen and discusses the responses from her family and greater community. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gVF5iEva #GAAD #GAAD26 #RaceAndDisability #InclusionWorks #Disability #Race #Inclusion

As part of our Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebration, we are excited to release an interview series that delves into the intersectionality of race and disability: "Race and Disability: Stigma, Culture and Resources." This interview, "Jess's Story," highlights the journey of a young woman growing up with blindness. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gEBqxs3E #GAAD #GAAD26 #Race #Disability #RaceAndDisability #intersectionality

On this Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we want to remind everyone that digital inclusion isn't only necessary it's happening! Today we celebrate how AI can include with this "Be My AI" demo from our Advisory Board Member Ken Rodgers https://lnkd.in/ghgnJ_ma #GAAD #GAAD2026 #AIaccessibility #WhenWeInclude

HEAR HERE ! WELCOME Josh Andreasen Business Technologist II Washoe County NV. ADA HONEST DISCUSSIONS Websites + Manual Accessibility Audits.  May 26 . 12:00N CT. Register Now: theweco . com/events OR BELOW. Website accessibility manual audits are one of the most effective and legally accepted methods in understanding your website’s accessibility issues, and how to bring it into ADA Web Rule conformance. Understanding how they work, and how to leverage them for individuals and teams, is crucial to meeting the requirements of the new web rule. This webinar will present an honest discussion panel including:     IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist certified professionals who conduct manual audits, and coach government communicators, and teams, in moving their websites to ADA conformance. This month’s panel will focus on: How a manual accessibility audits helps you comply with the ADA Web Rule. How much of your website needs to be included in a manual audit. Gaps that manual accessibility audits fill versus software accessibility checkers and overlays. How they can be leveraged as a learning tool for teams and individuals. How they assist with maintaining an ADA conformant website over time.  Ideas on how to manage multiple web properties for accessibility with manual audits. PANELISTS:  Joshua Andreasen, Business Technologist II, Washoe County NV. Alex Carlson, Public Affairs Manager, Metropolitan Mosquito Control District.  Brian Lovely, Sr. Accessibility Specialist, Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Dane Dunham, Principal Accessibility Specialist, Digital Accessibility by WeCo. MODERATOR:  Lynn Wehrman, President Founder Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Authentic human digital experts providing manual audits and maintenance. REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gmuFvKcP QUESTIONS?  Ask! We’re here to help. theweco . com. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) #Government #Accessibility #ADA #WCAG #Education #Website #ManualAudit #HumanAudit #Mosquito #WashoeNV

HEAR HERE ! WELCOME Josh Andreasen Business Technologist II Washoe County NV. ADA HONEST DISCUSSIONS Websites + Manual Accessibility Audits. May 26 . 12:00N CT. Register Now: theweco . com/events OR BELOW. Website accessibility manual audits are one of the most effective and legally accepted methods in understanding your website’s accessibility issues, and how to bring it into ADA Web Rule conformance. Understanding how they work, and how to leverage them for individuals and teams, is crucial to meeting the requirements of the new web rule. This webinar will present an honest discussion panel including: IAAP Web Accessibility Specialist certified professionals who conduct manual audits, and coach government communicators, and teams, in moving their websites to ADA conformance. This month’s panel will focus on: How a manual accessibility audits helps you comply with the ADA Web Rule. How much of your website needs to be included in a manual audit. Gaps that manual accessibility audits fill versus software accessibility checkers and overlays. How they can be leveraged as a learning tool for teams and individuals. How they assist with maintaining an ADA conformant website over time. Ideas on how to manage multiple web properties for accessibility with manual audits. PANELISTS: Joshua Andreasen, Business Technologist II, Washoe County NV. Alex Carlson, Public Affairs Manager Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Brian Lovely, Sr. Accessibility Specialist and Dane Dunham, Principal Accessibility Specialist, Digital Accessibility by WeCo. MODERATOR: Lynn Wehrman, President Founder Digital Accessibility by WeCo. Authentic human digital experts providing manual audits and maintenance. REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gafbkGEF QUESTIONS? Ask! We’re here to help. theweco . com. Disability:IN National Organization on Disability League of Minnesota Cities Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) #Government #Accessibility #ADA #WCAG #Education #Website #ManualAudit #HumanAudit #Mosquito #WashoeNV