SECTION
508: AN OVERVIEW
Section
508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a
federal law that requires ALL
Federal agencies' electronic and
information technology is accessible to
people with disabilities. In the
broadest sense, it applies to any
federally funded organizations that
interact with their employees or
customers online to make their
electronic equipment and information
system, including web sites, emails,
fully accessible to people with
disabilities. It seeks to aid disabled
employees and disabled customers by
ensuring access to internet and intranet
sites will include all members of our
society. Detailed knowledge of Section
508, as well as technical expertise in
adaptive technologies for addressing all
requirements, is essential to achieve
compliance.
SECTION
508: LEGAL RAMIFICATION
The
Section 508 Federal Acquisition
Regulations (FAR)
Final Rule published on April 25,
2001 in the Federal Register. The rule
and the explanatory preamble provide the
procurement directions needed for
contracting are available on the
regulations page.
The law states that by June 21, 2001
(extended to July 26, 2001), all web
sites, applications, and other IT
hardware items (such as kiosks) shall be
made accessible to all individuals. If a
component of IT infrastructure, a web
site, or other identified items are not
compliant with Section 508 by the July
26, 2001, date, the agency hosting or
owning the application, web site, or
other IT component will be held liable.
As such, the offending agency is subject
to legal proceedings initiated by
individuals who are unable to access the
item or web site.
Other Questions? Contact the
Department of Justice's Section 508
Coordinators: e-mail: sec508.questions@usdoj.gov
voice mail: 202-305-8304
TTY mail: 202-353-8944
facsimile: (202) 307-1198
