Accommodations Request Guidance

This guidance exists to help State of Colorado agencies provide appropriate accommodations for employee and public meetings (webinars, lunch and learns, informational sessions, meetings, etc.).

As a Title II covered entity, the State of Colorado is required to ensure equivalent and equitable access to its programs, services, and activities. 

Please feel free to use the following examples on your meeting invite copy.

• Your ability to participate fully is important to us! To request an accommodation, please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL].
   
• [AGENCY] is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations so all Coloradans can enjoy equitable access to all learning opportunities. To request an accommodation, please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL]. 
   
• [AGENCY] seeks to facilitate an inclusive and equitable meeting experience for all. To request an accommodation, please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL]. 

All State agencies can request funding from the ADA Accommodation Fund. An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation is a modification or adjustment made to a job, work environment, or a program, service, or activity. 

ADA Accommodations include:

• Physical accommodations (accessible parking spaces, ramps, elevators, modifying meeting/training location to accommodate physical limitations, option for joining the meeting virtually, etc.)
   
• Sensory accommodations (screen readers, amplified phones, ASL interpreters, and captioning services (CART), ensure one person is speaking at a time, or even adjusting lighting or noise levels to accommodate sensory sensitivities)
   
• Cognitive accommodations (providing the presentation ahead of the meeting/training, supporting access to resources offered during meeting/training, allowing for modified break schedules, or providing instructions in a variety of formats)

Learn more and apply for reimbursement on the accessibility & accommodations webpage.

For a list of providers, use the Legal Auxiliary Services Referral Resource List from the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind.

Your agency may also have a list of approved providers. For assistance, we suggest you contact your agency communications or HR teams. 

• Never assume what accommodations are needed. Always ask which accommodation(s) is preferred.
   
• We suggest that you work on securing/scheduling the accommodation as soon as you receive a request. Many service providers need more than 24 hours of notice. 

Contact the Statewide Equity Office at dpa_statewideequityoffice@state.co.us.