DOJ releases report on section 508 accessibility and federal digital info

The Justice Department announced the release of its report “Section 508 Report to the President and Congress:Accessibility of Federal Electronic and Information Technology.”  Thereport, authorized under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29U.S.C. § 794d), provides findings based on a survey of federal agencies onthe accessibility of their electronic and information technology and theprocedures used to implement the requirements of Section 508.

Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their electronic andinformation technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities, unlesscertain exceptions apply.  EIT includes telecommunications products (suchas telephones), information kiosks and transaction machines, websites,multimedia, and office equipment, such as copiers and fax machines, computers,software, firmware and similar products and services.  Specifically,Section 508 requires federal agencies to ensure that EIT they develop, procure,maintain, or use allows employees with disabilities and members of the publicseeking information or services to have access to and use of information anddata that is comparable to that available to people who do not havedisabilities. Section 508 also requires the attorney general to report andoffer recommendations periodically to the President and Congress on the stateof federal agency compliance with Section 508.

In 2010-2011, the Department created survey instruments and solicitedanswers from federal agencies about their implementation of Section 508. Thesurvey requested data in four important areas:  procurement, generalprocesses for implementing Section 508, administrative complaints and civilactions, and website compliance.