Serving Veterans and Employees with Accessible Electronic and Information Technology (EIT)

FOSE 2002 - Rosetta Screven's presentations

INTERIM GUIDANCE ON SECTION 508 and in MS Word.

The Buy Accessible database, will assist government personnel in completing the market research necessary to ensure that they are buying the most accessible IT products and services available in order to comply with Section 508.

GSA's Section 508 Reference Manual provides a starting point for implementation of Section 508 within an agency. This document was designed as a reference to assist Section 508 Coordinators with their respective duties and to give them a tailorable product that can be enhanced to fit their specific environment.

The Guidelines (in MS Word format) cover the Key Features of Section 508, Definitions, Standards, Exemptions, Complaint Procedure, Reporting Requirements, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Final Rule. It defines the Roles and Responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer, the Section 508 IT Accessibility Coordinator, and the Section 508 EIT Accessibility Team. The guide describes an typical Implementation Plan, Budget Issues, Strategic Planning, Working with Developers, the Software Development Life Cycle, Security Issues, Checklists, and references.

Also in MS Word, the Appendices include Memorandum for Chief Information Officers, a Sample Implementation Plan, Acronyms, Definitions, Resources, Accessibility Forum Questions and Answers, Federal Assisted Technology Centers, Summary of Final Standards, Final FAR Rule, FAGS, and Technical Assistance Materials from the Access Board.

The Access Board technical assistance materials cover each of the six parts of the technical provisions (web, software, multimedia, telecom, desktop and laptop computers, and self-contained closed products).

Web-based interactive training on how to make web sites accessible is available at http://www.section508.gov.

On Tuesday, June 19, President Bush reaffirmed this Administration’s commitment to full implementation of section 508. The text of his speech is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010619-1.html

About the VA Section 508 web site.

The VA Section 508 portal provides a central location to learn more about Section 508 requirements, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS) standard requirements, current activities, future developments, and contact information for those individuals seeking information and assistance regarding Section 508. The VA CIO Council established a Department wide Section 508 Advisory Committee, composed of representatives across VA. For Further information, questions or comments related to procurement, Web Accessibility Training and Awareness, legal inquiries, VA Veterans Benefits and VA's Section 508 Advisory Committee, contact, VA Section 508 Coordinator.

Background

VA Section 508 Advisory Committee

• Charter
• Focus Area - Subcommittees
• • IT Web Accessibility
  • Computer Technology/Office Equipment
  • Procurement Policy/Budgeting/Strategic Planning/Capital Investment
  • Telecommunications/Multi-Media
  • Employment/Training and Awareness
  • Legal Issues Congressional and Public Affairs
• Committee Membership
• Email Discussion Lists are used by each Focus Area.
• The Project Plans for Accessible EIT lists the steps we plan to take to make VA EIT Section 508 compliant.

References

Links to what GSA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the Access Board, and other agencies are doing to promote accessible information environments, services, and management practices.

VA Home Page / Site Map / HyperFAQ / Privacy & Security Statement / Disclaimer / FOIA / Contact the VA

The page was last updated on 24 October 2002 . Please send your program questions to Contact the VA. Send your comments on technical performance and accessibility of this particular page to Electronic & Information Technology Resources .  Before you email VA, please read the VA Privacy Policy on Information Collected from E-mails and Web Forms.