Welcome to the Accessibility section of our site. This section includes information on Section 508 requirements and alternative access to web documents.
The NIDA for Teens Web site is Section 508 compliant and meets all of the specified
guidelines required by law. We do our best to make this site user-friendly
for all users, and we continually work to improve the Web site. Please let
us know if you have suggestions to improve the Web site or if you find an error.
Please use the feedback
form to provide us with your comments to help improve the Web site.
Contact the NIDA Public Information and Liaison Branch at 301-443-1124 if you need alternate formats of information, e-mail us at Information@lists.nida.nih.gov.
Adobe provides free PDF tools for the visually impaired. You can get information regarding the accessibility of PDF files from the Access Adobe Web site.
Microsoft provides free accessibility tools within their Windows operating system.
To learn more about these tools visit Microsoft's
Accessibility Web site.
Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, or use electronic and information technology (EIT), Federal employees with disabilities have comparable access to and use of information and data as 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 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 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." (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 the individuals.
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