IT Accessibility's Big Moment in State Government

Alex and Amy are joined by NASCIO Policy Analyst Kalea Young-Gibson to talk about IT Accessibility making it into the State CIO Survey for the first time and what is driving this issue as a priority for states. We also discuss the foundational ways states are collaborating with local goverments.

Transcript

Amy Glasscock: 0:05

Hi, and welcome to Nassio Voices, where we talk all things state IT. I'm Amy Glasscock in Lexington, Kentucky.

Alex Whitaker: 0:11

And I'm Alex Whitaker in Washington, D.C. Today we are continuing our conversation about the findings from the 2025 State CIO Survey. And here today to chat with us about IT accessibility as well as state and local collaboration is our very own policy analyst, Kalia Young Gibson.

Amy Glasscock: 0:27

Kalia, welcome back to the podcast and thanks for taking the time to chat with us today.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 0:31

Absolutely. This is like my second home at this point. Happy to be here.

Amy Glasscock: 0:34

Yes, absolutely. All right. So uh we are talking about the sections of the survey that you are most familiar with. So let's start with accessibility. I'm pretty sure 2025, actually, I know 2025 was the first time that we included IT accessibility specifically in a state CIO survey. Can you talk a little bit about the evolution of IT accessibility as a focus for NASIO and the reason that it was included in this year's survey?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 1:00

Yeah, so accessibility has really evolved into kind of like a front burner issue for NASIO. We started with an IT accessibility working group after we did some digging into the DOJ final rule. At the last few conferences, we've held sessions and roundtables to dig into different challenges and opportunities and just multi-state collaboration around accessibility. And we've also published a number of papers, including one on accessibility and procurement that was actually released this morning. So all of that momentum plus the passion that we're seeing from accessibility coordinators across the country has really led us to what I think is a culminating point, which is hosting the very first IT accessibility coordinator leadership summit in in Kentucky this December. So when you look at that trajectory, it just makes perfect sense that accessibility landed on the CIO top 10 list this year for the first time. I think states are realizing it's not just about compliance anymore, it's actually about building a culture of digital equity.

Amy Glasscock: 2:00

Yeah. Yeah. And as you just mentioned, uh it was on the CIO top 10 list for the first time last year. So for the 2025, titled the 2025 top 10 list. And I just think that's so important because, you know, there's a lot of issues out there. There, I mean, there are issues that would make 11 through 20 if we kept, you know, adding to the list. But um, you know, we do try to stay focused on things that are most important to state CIOs and um technology offices, and accessibility was one of those top issues for this year. So yeah, it makes a lot of sense. Um, so I know uh it's becoming increasingly important for states to hire an accessibility coordinator. You talked a little bit about that. What are the stats around states hiring statewide accessibility coordinators from from the survey?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 2:44

Yeah, so I think we're seeing a very similar uh momentum shift to what you, Amy, might have experienced a few years ago with the CPOs. Um so as of now, over half of CIOs, um, which equates to 52%, now have a statewide accessibility coordinator in their organization. And another 14% have one that's in a different agency. So that that's a really big step forward because having a dedicated leader really helps keep accessibility front and center, and it also kind of helps make sure that you know your CIO or other people in the office aren't also taking on extra work that they may or may not be familiar with. But about a third of states still don't have that role at all, and that's often because funding requests have been denied. So while progress is happening, it's a little bit uneven, and that's exactly why NASIO is bringing coordinators together um in December to share strategies and build a stronger national network in addition to discussing the final rule.

Amy Glasscock: 3:37

Awesome.

Alex Whitaker: 3:38

Yeah, so you've talked about the DOJA role itself being a big driver to elevating this issue. And I'm wondering what is the biggest barrier to states when actually implementing the DOJ rule?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 3:47

Um, you might find this surprising, but the number one barrier is funding. Um states can uh yeah, states can usually find money for like the initial assessments, but the real challenge is paying for and keeping up with that full remediation, which includes redesigning websites, updating mobile apps, training current staff, potentially hiring new staff, and monitoring compliance. Um, more than half of CIOs told us in this year's survey that they don't have dedicated funding streams for accessibility services. Um that means a lot of states are just piecing together budgets from general funds, one-time appropriations, or just agency self-funding. So it's a patchwork approach and it makes it hard to sustain long-term progress.

Alex Whitaker: 4:29

Um so let's shift now to my favorite topic, of course, state and local collaboration. This has been on the survey before, but what are the top services that CIO organizations offer to local governments right now?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 4:40

Yeah, so when we ask this question, um, just about the kinds of services they provide, CIOs provide to local governments, a clear set of essentials kind of rose to the top. So you can think of things like GIS, which is Geographic Information Systems that helps with mapping and planning. Then you've got network services, co-location, uh security services, and data center hosting. So, in other words, the backbone stuff that keeps local governments connected, secure, and able to manage their data effectively. These aren't the flashy extras that a lot of other states that you see in like the executive agencies, um, but they're definitely the more core infrastructure pieces that local governments rely on every minute of every day.

Amy Glasscock: 5:21

How does this list compare to the last time that we asked the question in 2022?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 5:26

So, what's interesting about that is when we look back at the 2022 survey and we look at this year's survey, the answers were almost identical. Back then, the top four were network services, data center hosting, security services, and GIS. Fast forwarding to now, and those same services are still leading the pack with co-location getting a mention this year. So that consistency tells us something important. Um, local governments have a steady, ongoing need for these foundational IT services. It's not a passing trend, it's more of a reflection of the long-term demand for reliable connectivity, secure systems, and stronger data management.

Alex Whitaker: 6:05

Awesome, Kalia. Well, thank you so much for helping us dig into these sections a little bit more. Always appreciate your perspective. But of course, we aren't gonna let you out of here without a session of the lightning round. Are you ready? I am ready. Okay, question one. What's been the most interesting thing that you've taken on at NASIO that you didn't expect would be interesting?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 6:26

So, hmm, that's a really good question. And I'm honestly, I don't think it's like a concept, like a hard content concept, but I will say when I first heard that I would be going to tech conferences twice a year, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Um I'm like, okay, we're gonna sit up and talk about tech all day. But the conferences are now one of my favorite parts about this job. Um, I never knew that tech could be so interesting. And I think part of what makes it interesting is not only like the content that we discuss, but also the people who work in tech. Um, I've met some really, really great people, learned a lot from state and corporate members alike, as well as the team. Um, so the interesting thing to me that I've taken on is honestly going to the conferences.

Amy Glasscock: 7:13

Yeah. I feel like it's hard to sell NASIO as a fun place to work in these job interviews, but it really is.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 7:18

But it really is. Like it really is.

Amy Glasscock: 7:20

And no, I'm not so surprised.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 7:21

I'm not getting paid extra to say this. Like it really, really is one of the best places to work. Yes.

Amy Glasscock: 7:28

So as you mentioned, Calia, you are coming to Lexington, Kentucky in December. Uh, I believe this is your first time ever. It is Kentucky. So what are you most looking forward to?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 7:38

You know, this is going to sound cliche, but I want to ride a horse. I've never ridden a horse, and Lexington is apparently the horse capital of the world, I think. Yep, but we try to say anyway. So, yeah, I I want to ride a horse, preferably with some bourbon in my hand, but I don't think they'll allow it. You can't you cannot drink and drive within the horse.

Amy Glasscock: 7:59

Yeah. Those are two separate tours, usually. Yeah.

Alex Whitaker: 8:03

All right. So, Kalia, uh, what was the best thing about annual conference, in your opinion, other than of course seeing your fabulous colleagues in person?

Kalea Young-Gibson: 8:11

Absolutely. Um, I saw my very first mummy at annual conference this past year when we went to um the museum. I was in, I think I was in that exhibit for like 30 minutes, just like every every the mummy movie was flashing through my head, like, oh my gosh, like you inspired emote. You changed my childhood. Um, so the best part was definitely being able to see the mummies, and that was just a really cool museum in general.

Amy Glasscock: 8:37

And just to clarify, we were at a museum, we don't just like have mummies like on stage or yeah.

Alex Whitaker: 8:42

I will say though, uh shout out, they're doing a mummy four with the original cast, and I'm very excited.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 8:48

I'm so excited for Rachel Wise to come back and play Evie.

Alex Whitaker: 8:52

You learn a lot from the Nassio podcast.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 8:54

Yeah, yeah.

Amy Glasscock: 8:56

All right. Well, thanks again, Calia. Um, thanks for coming on, talking about the survey, and we will see you real soon here in Lexington.

Kalea Young-Gibson: 9:02

All righty. Sounds good. Thanks for having me. Thanks. Bye. Bye.

Amy Glasscock: 9:08

Thanks again for listening to NASIO Voices. NASCIO Voices is a production of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, or NASIO, on NASIO.org.

Alex Whitaker: 9:18

And we'll be back soon with more on the State SEO survey, partner research, and the NASTIO top 10 for 2026, all coming up before the end of the year.

Amy Glasscock: 9:26

Take care.