|
Printable Version
Accessibility
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 do Federal employees who have no 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 do
members of 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 (see 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:
"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." (See Chapter 2.1, Final
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, 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 those
individuals.
|