Kat Shaw and M. Nikki Flores are CPACC-certified and work with Javier Reartes at Lullabot to integrate accessibility as a mindset and framework into government platforms, such as for the states of Iowa, Maryland, and Georgia, and higher education, such as UMass Amherst and NYU.

This session explores how governments and higher education institutions can move beyond basic compliance to truly implement accessibility across their digital platforms.

We delve into strategies for integrating accessibility throughout the project lifecycle, from initial planning and design to development, QA testing, and content entry.

Drawing on real-world case studies, including Iowa.gov’s digital transformation project and the State of Maryland platform, we discuss how to leverage Drupal's features and contributed modules to create accessible experiences.

The session covers key aspects including:
a) design system reviews,
b) automated and manual testing,
c) content entry training for meaningful alt text and logical heading order, and
d) benefits of cross-collaboration.

Attendees gain insights into fostering a "shift-left" methodology, preventing issues, increasing cross-collaboration, and ultimately delivering higher quality, more inclusive digital services.

We also touch upon the importance of understanding the "why" behind accessibility, considering the experiences of users with disabilities, and the long-term benefits of an accessibility-forward approach.