Note: The contact information below is intended to help those who experience problems with the website related to the Section 508 regulations. If you have general questions or comments or are having difficulty finding information or using a web service, please contact the IHS Help Desk at ITSCHELP@mail.ihs.gov, 1-888-830-7280, or (505) 248-4371, or the IHS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page at: http://www.ihs.gov/GeneralWeb/HelpCenter/CustomerServices/FAQ_index.asp.
The Indian Health Service is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities, both members of the public and Federal employees. To meet this commitment, we will comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
For Alternative Access to Web Documents for
Individuals With Disabilities:
All information contained within the ihs.gov web site is available
in English only. You can find a number of free translation utilities
and software packages by searching for "free translation'"
on your favorite Internet search engine.
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a common file format used to post information on this site. Adobe offers conversion tools for the visually impaired at http://adobe.com/products/acrobat/atlternate.html. Adobe also has a plug-in available that will attempt to convert PDF documents to HTML on-the-fly. The converted document will be immediately returned to you in your browser application. See Adobe's web site (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html) for instructions on how to use these web-based forms.
If you are having difficulty viewing any information or file on the IHS site due to difficulties with adaptive technologies, contact the individual listed on the web page in the "Contact Us", "Feedback" or "This Page Maintained By…" hot link to request an alternate format of the web site version. The individual listed on a particular page is responsible for that specific web page and will be able to assist you. You can also contact the IHS Web Team Accessibility Help Desk 1-888-830-7280 or (505) 248-4371, which is staffed during business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mountain time), and they will assist you.
To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the preferred format in which to receive the material, the web address or hyperlink of the requested material, and your contact information.
Plug-ins and File Viewers
As part of IHS's approach to making content accessible, and in compliance
with § 1194.22 (m) of the final rule, this page fulfills the
requirement that "When a web page requires that an applet,
plug-in or other application be present on the client system to
interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in
or applet…."
All applets, plug-ins, or other applications required by IHS web pages that are not included on the specific page may be found as links from this page.
Note: most of these links are to non-government sources. Please address questions about the particular plug-in, file viewer, or converter to the respective vendor.
Adobe Acrobat: Use Adobe Acrobat V 5.0 to read Portable Document Format (PDF) files: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html#50enu
Microsoft Word: Microsoft (MS) offers file viewers and converter programs to enable those who do not have MS Word or have another version of MS Word to open and view MS Word files: http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/default.aspx?Product=Word&Version=95|97|98|2000|2002&Type=Converter|Viewer
Microsoft Excel: Microsoft offers file viewer and converter programs
to enable those who do not have MS Excel or have another version of
MS Excel to view MS Excel files:
http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/default.aspx?Product=Excel&Version=95|97|98|2000|2002&Type=Converter|Viewer
Microsoft PowerPoint: Microsoft offers file viewer and converter programs to enable those who do not have MS PowerPoint or have another version of MS PowerPoint to view MS PowerPoint files: http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/default.aspx?Product=PowerPoint&Version=95|97|98|2000|2002&Type=Converter|Viewer
Macromedia Flash Player: Macromedia Flash Player allows users to
view content created with not only the Macromedia Flash authoring
tool, but also other leading design tools that export the SWF file
format.
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&P5_Language=English
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 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.