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The complete text of ALNAV 18-01

DTG: 152200Z MAR 01 
From: SECNAV WASHINGTON DC//SN//
To: ALNAV
 
ALNAV 018/01
 
Subj:  Department of the Navy Approach To Implementation of 
Section 508/Compliance Standards
 
Ref. a:  Federal Access Board/21Dec2000//
 
Ref a is the final electronic information technology standards
for accessibility of disabled persons, published in the Federal
Register, part II, Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, 36 CFR Part 1194, 21 Dec 00.

POC: Capt. Peeters, DON CIO, Washington, DC/tel:703-602-2873//
 
1.  Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended, 29 U.S.C.
Section 794d, requires that when federal agencies develop, 
procure, maintain or use electronic and information technology 
(IT), they must ensure that federal employees and members of the 
public with disabilities, have access to and use of information 
and data comparable to that available to non-disabled employees 
and members of the public unless meeting compliance standards 
would pose an undue burden.  National security systems are 
exempt from this requirement.  National security systems are 
defined as, "any telecommunications or information system 
operated by the United States government, the function, 
operation, or use of which: involves intelligence activities; 
involves cryptologic activities related to national security; 
involves command and control of military forces; involves 
equipment that is an integral part of a weapon or weapons 
system; is critical to the direct fulfillment of military or 
intelligence missions."  

This requirement does not exempt any system that is to be used 
for routine administration and business applications, including 
payroll, finance, logistics,
and personnel management applications.  Section 508 applies to
computers and networks, hardware, software, web pages and email 
as well as equipment used for transmitting, receiving, using or 
storing information such as fax machines, copiers and 
telephones.
 
2. On 21 DEC 2000, the Federal Access Board issued Ref a – Final 
Standards for Electronic And Information Technology under 
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act with an effective date for 
compliance of 21 June 2001. Failure to meet Section 508 
requirements could result in administrative complaints and 
lawsuits against the Department.

To that end, it is incumbent on Department of the Navy (DON)
Commands to ensure web sites and information technology 
processes, including internet and intranet, which may be 
accessible to the public as well as DON persons with 
disabilities, meet Section 508 standards.
 
3.  Each Echelon II command, major claimant and DON organization
with a web site(s) and IT processes that fall within the scope 
of Section 508 requirements are requested to:  (1) assign a 
point of contact (POC) for Section 508 compliance actions; and 
(2) provide name and POC information to the Department of the 
Navy Chief Information Officer (DON CIO) no later than 30 March 
2001.

Subordinate commands should coordinate with their respective 
Echelon II coordinator through their respective chain of 
command.  The POC network will facilitate the coordination and 
attainment of Section 508 compliance across the chain of 
command.  Lastly, the Program Executive Office for Information 
Technology (PEO-IT) is working with EDS, the Navy/Marine Corps 
Intranet (NMCI) prime contractor, to make software/hardware 
solutions available under the NMCI contract.
 
4.  DON CIO will facilitate raising the level of Section 508 
awareness through distribution of training materials to provide 
each POC with guidance concerning the two major areas impacted 
by the law -- web page accessibility and equipment/software 
accessibility.  We anticipate distribution of the initial 
training materials by 01 APR 2001 in order to assist commands in 
meeting the web page compliance standards by the 21 JUN 2001 
compliance date.  The initial training materials should likewise 
be available by 01 APR 2001 in order to assist commands in 
meeting the web page compliance standards by the 21 JUN 2001 
compliance date.  Also being addressed at the Department
level is the overall Section 508 policy as well as the processes 
for requesting computer and electronic accommodations and 
handling complaints.
 
5. A complete copy of the section 508 standards may be found at
http:\\www.access-board.gov\sec508\508standards.pdf.  Provide 
POC information to DON CIO attn:  CDR K. Tracy, DSN 332-6722, 
com 703.602.6722.  Email: tracy.katherine@hq.navy.mil 
 
6.  The compliance requirement for publicly accessible web sites
will be incorporated into an upcoming revision to SECNAVINST
5720.47, the DON policy for publicly accessible web sites.
 
7.  Released by the Honorable Robert B. Pirie, Jr.,  Acting
Secretary of the Navy.
 
                         -USN-