Why is this important?
Maintenance means keeping standards up to date transparent and this should be done in accessible ways. This includes clearly explaining updates or withdrawals, inviting ongoing feedback, and continuing to involve D/deaf and D/disabled people in decisions over time.
Actions
Explore actions for maintenance and withdrawal:
Co-develop criteria for withdrawal
Long-term Actions
- Work with diverse communities to create clear rules for reviewing whether a standard should be withdrawn.
- Include technical, legal, social, and disability perspectives when making decisions.
- Ask key questions, like:
- Is the standard still being used?
- Does it still solve an important problem?
- Who would be most affected if it were removed?
- Treat withdrawal like a review process: involve the public, especially the people most impacted, to help shape the criteria.
- Make the process transparent so everyone understands how decisions are made.
- Document and share the reasoning behind any decision to withdraw a standard.
- Update the criteria regularly based on feedback and real-world impacts.
Barriers these actions address
- No clear or inclusive process for retiring standards
Create an opportunity for public feedback before withdrawal
Long-term Actions
- Issue a public “notice of withdrawal” using multiple ways to reach people and share it with relevant community groups.
- Ask for input on how the withdrawal could affect people, especially equity-denied groups, and give enough time to respond.
- Let affected individuals and groups influence the decision before it is finalized.
- Use multiple accessible channels to share withdrawal notices, like email lists, newsletters, websites, community networks, accessible PDFs, ASL/LSQ videos, and direct outreach to known users.
- Create a searchable public archive of withdrawn standards, including:
- Why each standard was withdrawn
- What has replaced it (if anything)
- How to access older versions if needed
- Make all materials easy to understand in plain language and accessible formats.
- Keep the process transparent so communities know their feedback is considered.
Barriers these actions address
- No clear or inclusive process for retiring standards
- Lack of public awareness of the standards feedback process
- No way to track the real-world impact of a standard
Offer opportunities to request revisions rather than removal
Long-term Actions
- If a standard is outdated but still useful, let affected communities suggest updates or improvements instead of withdrawing it completely.
- Provide clear instructions on how to request revisions for standards and what kind of changes can be made.
- Use multiple accessible channels for submitting revision requests, such as online forms, email, phone, or mail.
- Share outcomes of revision requests publicly to show how input influenced the standard.
- Track and report revisions to show continuous improvement and maintain trust with communities.
Barriers these actions address
- No clear or inclusive process for retiring standards
Provide transition guidance when withdrawing a standard
Long-term Actions
- Provide clear information about what the withdrawal means and who it affects.
- Share alternatives, replacement standards, or temporary guidance people can use instead.
- Offer support where needed, including technical and legal guidance.
- Consider a grace period, so people have time to adjust and transition.
Barriers these actions address
- No support when a standard is removed
Use clear, accessible, and open language in withdrawal notices
Long-term Actions
- If the public hasn’t had a chance to give feedback yet, include a period for them to do so.
- Make it clear in the notice that the withdrawal decision is not final.
- Explain how and when people can submit feedback.
- Provide plain language summaries that cover:
- Why the standard might be withdrawn
- What the potential impacts are
- Key timelines for the process
- Share all information in accessible formats, such as screen-reader friendly documents, PDFs, captions, and sign language/interpretation videos.
- Keep language simple and direct, so everyone can understand the notice.
- Highlight who to contact for questions or additional support.
Barriers these actions address
- No clear or inclusive process for retiring standards
- No support when a standard is removed