Hi, it’s Dana, back for another edition of our Government Video Podcast. This time around, we’ve got Marie Cohan, the statewide digital accessibility program administrator for the Texas Department of Information Resources, who has worked with accessibility and education for over 20 years.
Municipal IT and media teams are being pushed to modernize faster than ever, especially when it comes to the way video content, live meetings, and public information are delivered to residents. With new accessibility standards approaching and growing public expectations for transparency and ease of use, cities are reevaluating how they produce and share content.
This shift is not only about compliance. It’s about community trust, clarity, and sustainability across communication channels that serve diverse audiences.
Cohan emphasized that the journey begins by understanding the policy landscape and then creating a realistic plan that can be maintained over time. Her work guiding agencies and institutions reveals how much municipalities benefit from a structured, clear digital accessibility roadmap.
Start with Policy and Awareness
Many municipalities are still in the early stages of aligning their media operations with accessibility standards. Before teams look at captioning workflows or adopting new software, leadership needs to establish clear expectations and accountability.
If a city does not have an internal accessibility policy, that becomes the first hurdle. Without direction, departments are left to interpret requirements on their own, often resulting in uneven accessibility efforts and inconsistent quality.
Cohan recommended identifying key stakeholders early. That includes IT leadership, communications teams, procurement specialists, legal counsel, and risk management. Procurement is especially important because accessible technology is always easier to implement when it is purchased that way from the start.
Buying first and fixing later means costly rework, frustrated staff, and potential compliance exposure. A straightforward policy empowers procurement teams to require accessibility documentation before any media or communications platform is approved.
This foundation also supports better planning for the types of content that residents interact with most, including websites, video streaming for accessible city council meetings, online public records, and training materials. These are the core elements of government meeting accessibility, and when they are designed accessibly from the start, the public experience improves for everyone.
Clear Phases for Long-Term Sustainability
A successful digital accessibility roadmap is not just about solving immediate gaps. It must enable teams to adapt technology, staffing, and workflows over time. Cohan outlined three phases that help organizations move forward with confidence.
The first phase is policy alignment and leadership buy-in. Once expectations are established, teams can begin examining what is in place and what needs to change. “Leadership buy-in is essential because they control the budget and resources,” Cohan explained.
Inventory and prioritization are the second phase. This means looking at media workflows for government, web content, training platforms, meeting broadcasts, and any public-facing materials. Cities benefit from identifying which assets have the highest community impact and focusing on those early.
The third phase prioritizes sustainability. Accessibility must be part of routine operations, not a one-time project. Staff need ongoing training. Technology and captioning tools must be reviewed regularly.
Vendor agreements should include commitments to accessibility updates. Even content creation processes for local government media strategies should include basic accessibility checks before publishing. This approach ensures that improvements continue long after initial compliance deadlines pass.
The Entire Community Benefits
Cities that invest in inclusive government communications often see stronger engagement from residents. When public information is easy to understand and access, more people participate in civic processes.
Accessibility is also a driver of efficiency. When websites are easier to navigate, fewer people need to call or visit municipal offices for answers. Staff spend less time troubleshooting avoidable issues. Systems become more resilient and flexible. “In my agency, we emphasize customer experience,” Cohan said.
Collaboration in local government media strengthens these outcomes. When communications teams, IT staff, and AV specialists share knowledge and tools, accessibility becomes more consistent across departments.
As Cohan pointed out, this unified approach also helps cities manage vendor relationships more effectively. When government requires accessibility as a baseline expectation, vendors respond by improving their platforms, training developers, and building solutions that work better for everyone.
In the coming years, accessibility will increasingly shape how cities produce video, manage digital forms, redesign websites, and plan public engagement. Residents are already expecting clearer navigation, more reliable captions, and smoother access to information. A digital accessibility roadmap ensures cities stay ahead of these expectations while protecting public trust and supporting operational efficiency.
Municipal media and IT teams are uniquely positioned to lead this change. With thoughtful planning, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement, accessibility can move from a compliance mandate to a core value of how government serves its communities.
Ready to build your roadmap for digital accessibility? Get more insights from our Government Video Podcast.
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