NewView Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

READable, an operating division of NewView Oklahoma, is an innovative workforce development project providing first-class digital communications accessibility solutions to public and private entities throughout Oklahoma while providing cutting-edge technology jobs to qualified individuals with disabilities. Solutions include: - Conducting comprehensive website audits using automation and manual testing to identify and rank compliance errors according to Section 508 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Oklahoma Information and Technology Accessibility Act (2020). - Performing automated and manual testing of web-based content to pinpoint and evaluate compliance errors. - Generating comprehensive audit reports, helping web developers and content authors develop manageable plans to address errors. - Using proprietary software to accurately, quickly, and cost-effectively correct PDF documents. - Providing real-time, personalized account management services, and - Providing customized virtual and/or on-site training programs. READable is training 30 individuals to help companies identify, evaluate, and remediate deficiencies on websites and web content in compliance with Section 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Act (Oklahoma) of 2017. After three months of rigorous training, these individuals will provide automated and manual testing and document remediation services to improve the digital infrastructure for Oklahoma State agencies, municipalities, and private businesses.

EVIDENCE

613,031 people with disabilities lived in Oklahoma in 2020; that?s 15.8% of the state?s population. According to Pew Research, 59.6% of US residents with disabilities have Internet access, yet disabled Americans are three times as likely to say they never go online. Why? Because 90% of websites and content (including PDFs) are inaccessible. This is a critical problem for Oklahoma; the future of work depends on technology. The combined market value of correcting PDF documents to legal requirements for Oklahoma and the top 20 municipal entities tops $25M. Combined with banks, law firms, hospitals, and universities, market value exceeds $65M.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Individuals with disabilities experience innumerable barriers in everyday life, from inaccessible technologies and web content to inaccessible physical spaces where they live and work. This impacts their ability to reach educational milestones, gain and maintain employment, and socialize. The Covid-19 pandemic only exacerbated these barriers. According to pre-pandemic data, the unemployment rate for blind and low vision individuals alone is a staggering 74%. Since the pandemic, disabled individuals have experienced increased social isolation, insufficient access to in-person social services, and decreased opportunities for digitally based employment, social interactions, and healthcare services. For 72 years, NewView has provided competitive employment for individuals with vision loss, employing over 150 employees at all levels of the organization. NewView?s READable team is uniquely poised to spearhead digital accessibility and job opportunities for disabled persons in Oklahoma.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

NewView has already established a qualified team and infrastructure to support the READable project, and we are confident in our ability to implement the project on a larger scale over the next several years. The READable Team Leader oversees all operations and reports to NewView?s Chief Innovation Officer. Should this funding be granted, NewView?s Executive Leadership Team will work together to develop a detailed strategic plan with benchmarks to ensure adequate progress throughout the project?s lifecycle. This plan will include collecting data and results from each sub-project in order to improve processes, turnaround time, and efficiency in the future.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma