Proposed Standards for Federal Electronic and Information Technology

On March 31, 2000, the Access Board published proposed standards for electronic and information technology that were available for public comment for 60 days. The standards cover various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment in the Federal sector. They are being developed under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 which requires access to the Federal government's electronicand information technology. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Federal agencies must ensure that this technology is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities to the extent it does not pose an "undue burden."

Additional information on Section 508 is available at www.section508.gov

Comments Submitted

Over 100 individuals and organizations submitted comments on the standards. Comments were submitted by Federal agencies, representatives of the information technology industry, disability groups, and persons with disabilities. The standards cover various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment in the Federal sector. They provide technical criteria specific to various types of technologies and performance-based requirements, which focus on the functional capabilities of covered technologies. Specific criteria cover controls, keyboards, and keypads; software applications and operating systems (non-embedded); web-based information or applications; telecommunications functions; video or multi-media products; and information kiosks and transaction machines. Also covered is compatibility with adaptive equipment people with disabilities commonly use for information and communication access.

The comments are available for inspection at the Board’s offices during regular business hours. The Board will finalize the standards according to its analysis of the comments and republish them in the Federal Register. The final standards will be incorporated into the Federal government’s procurement regulations.

Congress Amends Section 508 Enforcement Provisions

On July 13, 2000, President Clinton signed into law an appropriations bill that includes an amendment to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Under this amendment, the effective date of section 508's enforcement provisions are delayed to allow more time for compliance with the Board’s final standards. As originally written, section 508 would take effect August 7, 2000. This date was based on final standards being completed last February, which would have allowed six months before enforcement provisions took effect.

The amended language (below) revises the effective date to 6 months from publication of the Board’s final standards, consistent with the law’s intent. The amendment was included in a military appropriations bill (Military Construction Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001, P.L. 106-246) which Congress passed the previous week. This action is responsive to industry concerns about sufficient time for compliance with the new standards. However, it does not affect the Board’s work in finalizing the standards, which the Board plans to complete as quickly as possible.

From the Military Construction Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001
(HR. 4425; P.L. 106-246; July 13, 200)

SEC. 2405. Section 508(f)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d(f)(1)) is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `Effective' and all that follows through `1998,' and inserting `Effective 6 months after the date of publication by the Access Board of final standards described in subsection (a)(2),'; and

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking `2 years' and all that follows and inserting `6 months after the date of publication by the Access Board of final standards described in subsection (a)(2).'.

Technical Assistance and Training Materials

The Board is undertaking a project to developtechnical assistance and training materials on the new standards. Under section 508 (and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998), the Board is responsible for a technical assistance program and training of Federal and State employees on the 508 standards and access to electronic and information technology. Under a contract awarded to a private firm in September, the Board is developing training modules and technical assistance materials on the upcoming final standards and section 508. Materials to be developed include fact sheets, brochures, answers to frequently asked questions, multimedia presentations, narrated slide shows, practical "how-to" tips on making web sites accessible to people with disabilities, and comprehensive annotated lists of reference materials. Training modules will be available for use by speakers at workshops and conferences. The modules will be designed to meet the needs of various audiences, such as Federal managers, end-users with disabilities, the procurement community, and producers of technology. The Board plans to have these materials developed so that they are available soon after the 508 standards are published.