Accessibility

Section 508 Web Alternate Format

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is committed to making the information and resources on the Web sites that it sponsors accessible to the widest possible audience, including persons with disabilities.

AHRQ would appreciate being notified of accessibility problems and non-compliant Web documents so that we can re-mediate them and better serve you.

Federal agencies are required, upon request, to provide information and data to individuals with disabilities through an alternative means of access that can be used by the individuals.

For Alternative Access to Web Documents

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services Help Desk, which is staffed by several individuals during business hours, and they will assist you.

or

Contact the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at info@ahrq.gov and request an alternate format of the information if you are unable to access the Web site version.

Synopsis of Section 508 Accessibility Requirements

Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology (EIT), Federal employees with disabilities have comparable access to and use of information and data as Federal employees without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have comparable access to and use of information and data as the public without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

Although Federal agencies have an explicit statutory obligation to make all EIT that they develop, maintain, or use compliant with Section 508, the current emphasis is on newly procured EIT because it is the category that is explicitly enforceable by legal action. Procurement awards made on or after June 25, 2001, are subject to Section 508. (Select for FAR Final Rule).

According to the Access Board, the Section 508 requirements do not apply retroactively to pre-existing EIT. Specifically, the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards: Economic Assessment states that:

"The standards are to be applied prospectively and do not require Federal agencies to retrofit existing electronic and information technology. As agencies upgrade and change their electronic and information technology, they must comply with the standards."

It should be noted, however, that other Federal regulations and guidelines (e.g., Section 501 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) require equal access for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure this.