Section 508 of the rehabilitation act pdf

Section 508 is a part of the rehabilitation act of 1973 which requires that electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the. Xml rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended through p. According to the centers for disease control and prevention, as of 2019, 61 million of the american population 26% of the. Section 508 applies to all federal departments and agencies. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act level access. Federal agencies, including dod, develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 requires that federal departments and agencies make reasonable efforts to provide information via systems that are equally accessible to the disabled and, if they cannot do so, it requires that they provide individuals with disabilities with an alternative means for equivalent access to the information and data that those information systems provide.

Section 508 compliance for communications the contractor shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below. Text of the standards and guidelines united states. On january 18, 2017, the access board architectural and transportation barriers compliance board. In addition to section 508, the rehabilitation act of 1973 has several other sections. A development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology. How to create accessible portable document format pdf documents that conform to the revised 508 standards guidance.

Rehabilitation act amendments of 1998, section 508 subpart 1194. Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. Section 503 prohibits employment discrimination based on disability by federal. Introduction section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, 29 u. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act, as amended in 1998, requires that when. The rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended by wioa pdf. Based on fiscal year 2018 data from the federal procurement data system fpds, it is estimated that there are approximately 22,809 contractors that manufacture, sell, or lease ict supplies or services required to comply with section 508 standards. Feb 18, 2020 are mobileready pdf files created with acrobat xi pro compliant with section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended 29 u. When developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal department or. Information regarding section 508 of the rehabilitation act page 3 of 4 3 many federal agencies are currently purchasing or upgrading computerbased systems to ensure effective operation after the year 2000 socalled y2k projects.

Section 508 requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, federal employees with disabilities must have. Although section 508 requires that federal egovernment sites offer equal access to all users, research indicates that inaccessibility is still. The section 503 regulations set forth the standards for compliance with section 503 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. The doc accessibility and section 508 website focuses on section 508 laws, accessibility standards and guidelines and contains resources for understanding and implementing the requirements of section 508 of the rehabilitation act this site also introduces the new web accessibility content guidelines wcag 2. Hud policy on section 508 of the rehabilitation act and accessible technology 1. Section 508 requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, federal employees with disabilities must have access to and use of information. Where any operable control is 10 inches or less behind the na yes.

Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended the act requires that individuals with disabilities, who are federal employees or members of the public seeking information or services from a federal agency, be provided access to and use. Section 508 electronic and information technology a requirements for federal departments and agencies. Ensure your employees and members of the public have equal access to your documentation, regardless of ability. Hud policy on section 508 of the rehabilitation act and. Section 508 requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to. When developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal. The resources in this section were developed by the accessible electronic documents community of practice aed cop. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act requires federal agencies to ensure that all eit developed, procured, maintained, or used in the federal environment provides equal access for federal employees and members of the public. In practice, this means that the content on your websites should be provided in a way that is accessible to all of your visitors, no matter how they access your site. Oct 01, 2012 section 508 refers to an amendment that was added to an existing law the rehabilitation act of 1973 that requires all electronic and information technology eit that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973. Because section 508 may significantly affect all of these purchases or upgrades, information on section 508.

Strategic plan for improving management of section 508 of the rehabilitation act pdf, january 20. Section 508 accessibility of electronic and information technology. This ensures that the development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology eit enables our customers and. The resources in this section were developed by federal agencies, and shared here for your convenience. Proposals, bids, concept papers, technical documentation, reports, and user and training manuals must be section 508. Specifically, subsection 508 a1 requires that when the federal government procures. Section 508 this section serves as an overview of the section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act frequently asked.

If using an authoring tool, make sure the tool is capable of generating accessible pdf documents that conform to pdf ua some do not. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act department of energy. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended, 29 u. Federal compliance with the statute was required by june 21, 2001. The process for filing a section 508 complaint will be as follows.

Government document remediation and training services adhere to section 508, 503 and 504 regulations of the rehabilitation act of 1973 quickly and methodically. Usaid implementation of section 508 of the rehabilitation act. Section 508 is an amendment to the workforce rehabilitation act of 1973, which u. The full check feature in acrobat checks a pdf for many of the characteristics of accessible pdfs. The law strengthens section 508 of the rehabilitation act and requires access to electronic and information technology provided by the federal government. Dec 21, 2000 the purpose of this part is to implement section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u.

Rehabilitation act section 508 the rehabilitation act of 1973 requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology eit accessible to people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in. Text of the standards and guidelines united states access board. Oct 08, 2019 section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u. The section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Section 508 compliance testing 508 compliance website. A development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal department or agency, including the united states postal service, shall ensure, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency, that the. The standards, which have been in place for over 15 years, promote ict that can be accessed by the public and employees with disabilities. Rehabilitation act prohibits federal agencies from buying, developing, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology that is inaccessible to people with disabilities. In 1998, congress amended the rehabilitation act to require federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. In 1998, congress amended the rehabilitation act of 1973 to require federal. This section serves as an overview of the section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u.

Section 508 requires that individuals with disabilities can access and use information and data that is comparable to those without disabilities, unless an undue burden. Review section 508 law and related it accessibility laws and policies. In addition to section 508, the rehabilitation act of 1973 has several other sections section 501 and 505 prohibits federal employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. The following standards are excerpted from section 508 of the rehabilitation act, 1194. The author examines usercentered evaluations of egovernment web sites for compliance with a policy related to persons with disabilities. Service section 508 activities may also find this book useful. The purpose of this part is to implement section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Briefly put, section 508 is part of the rehabilitation act of 1973, and has undergone several strengthening refreshes over the years. Section 508 remediation government document remediation. Programs, procedures, rules, and related data and documentation. Section 508 instructions and documents department of justice. In 1997, the federal electronic and information technology accessibility and compliance act was proposed in the u. Usercentered policy evaluations of section 508 of the.

Electronic and information technology accessibility standards 36 c. Although pdfua1 was considered as a standard, it was ultimately not. Section 508 also directs the attorney general to submit reports to the president and congress on the state of federal agencies. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act the standards, which have been in place for over 15 years, promote ict that can be accessed by the public and employees with disabilities. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The federal government increasingly relies on technology to carry out its business and deliver information to. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individuals ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. The original section 508 dealt with electronic and information technologies, in recognition of the growth of this field. October 2009 new note to readers this document is a consolidation of acquisitionrelated questions that have been posed by agencies, contractors, and members of the disability community regarding section 508 of the. Electronic and information technology a requirements for federal departments and agencies 1 accessibility a development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal department or agency, including the united states postal service, shall ensure. The revised 508 accessibility standards may also benefit people outside the federal workforce, since the accessible technology from the federal government may spill over to the rest of society. Section 508 is a federal law that is part of the rehabilitation act of 1973, which established guidelines for technology accessibility section 508 requires that any information and communication technology ict developed, procured, maintained or used by federal departments and agencies must allow federal employees and members of the public. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, the individual or group of individuals may file a complaint with the department.

Section 508 of the rehabilitation act federal communications. The 2012 doj report identifies continued challenges with section 508 implementation and management and. S government through section 508 of the us rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended mandates federal agencies to ensure all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used are accessible to persons with disabilities. Strategic plan for improving management of section 508 of the rehabilitation act pdf, january 20 m1706 policies for federal agency public websites and. Section 501 and 505 prohibits federal employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Section 508 also directs the attorney general to submit reports to the president and congress on the. The department of the interior doi is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 is a federal law that mandates all electronic and information technology eit developed, procured, maintained, and used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. First and foremost, its the law section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u. Are mobileready pdf files created with acrobat xi pro compliant with section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended 29 u. Section 508 standards section 508 compliant document. Section 508 was originally added as an amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973 in 1986. It is important to understand section 508 in the context of other laws related to federal disability policy.

In the event of conflicts between the referenced documents and this sow, pws, or to, the sow, pws, or to shall take precedence rehabilitation act, section 508 accessibility standards. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act requires that when u. Usaid implementation of section 508 of the rehabilitation. Federal government agencies develop, procure, or maintain, information and communication technology ict, that it is accessible to persons with disabilities. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers. Acquisition of electronic and information technology under section 508 of the rehabilitation act questions and answers date. When we develop, procure or maintain documents or assets that are available electronically e. October 2009 new note to readers this document is a consolidation of acquisitionrelated questions that have been posed by agencies, contractors, and members of the disability community regarding section 508 of the rehabilitation act. Section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from. Adobe acrobat provides an automated way to check the accessibility of a pdf file.

Section 508 accessibility of electronic and information technology a this sow, pws, or to is subject to section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 29 u. Section 508 covers technology procured by a federal agency under contract with a private entity or produced within the agency itself. May 26, 2017 briefly put, section 508 is part of the rehabilitation act of 1973, and has undergone several strengthening refreshes over the years. The mounting of this product is defined by the yes. Nov 23, 2016 section 508 is an amendment to the workforce rehabilitation act of 1973, which u. Section 508 refers to an amendment that was added to an existing law the rehabilitation act of 1973 that requires all electronic and information technology eit that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be. The standards for ict developed, procured, maintained, or used by agencies subject to section 508 of the rehabilitation act as set forth in 508 chapters 1 and 2 36 cfr part 1194, appendix a, and chapters 3 through 7 36 cfr part 1194, appendix c. The legal basis for this rule is section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 29 u. The 508 standards and guidelines ensure that information and communications covered by section 508 are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Information regarding section 508 of the rehabilitation act. Nearly everyone plays a role in carrying out section 508.