DES MOINES – The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement today announced Inclusion by Design, a new collaboration with Value Inclusion, Inc. and Clear Vision LLC, to provide digital accessibility auditing and consultancy services for municipalities and organizations committed to universal accessibility.
Inclusion by Design is tailored specifically to the urgent needs of local governments nationwide as they address the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements.
“At its heart, digital accessibility is about fulfilling the fundamental promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Senator Tom Harkin (retired). “Inclusion by Design is about more than checking boxes. It is a demonstration of an organization’s commitment to creating a more inclusive society. I am proud that The Harkin Institute can provide the policy expertise and industry credibility to help leaders meet their legal obligations and honor the dignity of all citizens at the same time.”
Inclusion by Design provides a suite of services to help municipalities improve digital accessibility at all levels, including:
- A “homepage sprint,” delivering immediate, visible accessibility improvements to an agency or organization’s digital front door;
- User testing conducted by actual people with disabilities, not just automated scans or simulations;
- A customized strategic accessibility roadmap;
- Staff training and vendor management guidance to embed accessibility into ongoing workflow;
- A first-90-day guarantee, promising concrete, measurable advances within the first three months of consultation.
Jurisdictions with a population of 50,000 or more residents must comply with the federal law by April 26, 2027. Smaller jurisdictions—those under 50,000—must comply by April 26, 2028. Failure to act exposes municipalities to formal Department of Justice complaints, civil litigation, and potential loss of federal funding.
“Digital accessibility is no longer optional; it is a mission-critical requirement for every state and local government,” says James Warnken, CEO of Clear Vision. “We don’t just test and fix issues—we use assistive technology every day to navigate the world. We bring that lived perspective to every project, and that’s what makes the difference between a checklist exercise and real inclusion.”
This initiative is the result of a strategic alliance among The Harkin Institute, Value Inclusion, Inc., a national leader in C-suite strategy, competitive integrated employment, and disability consultancy, and Clear Vision, a disabled-owned digital accessibility consultancy specializing in inclusive user experience and compliance. It unites The Harkin Institute’s policy research, Value Inclusion’s strategic insights, and Clear Vision’s hands-on accessibility expertise in a single offering.
While Inclusion by Design is built for addressing compliance mandates facing state and local governments, the framework is equally valuable to private sector organizations seeking to build inclusive digital experiences, expand their reach to all customers, and align with accessibility standards.
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About The Harkin Institute
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University builds on the legacy of former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (retired) in the areas of wellness and nutrition, disability policy, and retirement security. It promises to improve the lives of all by giving policymakers access to high-quality information and engaging citizens as active participants in the formation of public policy. The Harkin Institute is housed at The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, among the most universally accessible buildings in the world, named in honor of the Harkins’ shared commitment to public service.
About Value Inclusion
Value Inclusion believes that a more inclusive society benefits everyone. Our vision is an economy where individuals are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, contributing to a stronger, more prosperous future. By leveraging diverse talents, experiences, and passions, we pave the way for innovation and growth.
Value Inclusion is the only consultancy that brings together actionable, c-suite strategy, evidence-based research, and first-hand experience of driving competitive, integrated employment of persons across the disability spectrum in a way that drives brand, reputational, and bottom-line growth.
About Clear Vision
A disabled-owned, EDGE-certified firm that provides the “lived experience” and technical execution using native assistive technology testing. Clear Vision is founded by James Warnken. He brings together deep lived experience with vision loss and a strong background in digital marketing, technology, and business. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease at age 9, he has spent more than 19 years navigating the world as a visually impaired person, which informs his work as a digital accessibility expert and consultant. Over his career, James has trained hundreds of professionals, worked on hundreds of websites, and led more than 50 accessibility-focused projects across government, nonprofit, and private organizations, helping teams make accessibility both practical and sustainable.