Electronic subscription services are considered . The ADA is a much broader law than Section 508, applying to the private and public sector and encompassing all areas of life, not just digital communications. of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandated that "all electronic and information technology used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities." Over the course of time, both the scope and the specificity of Section 508 have changed . Sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 2000e-16), including the application of sections 706 (f) through 706 (k) [42 U.S.C. Information, Guidance, and Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act. 794. 1998: Update to Section 508. In 2017, Section 508 was revised with the requirement that by January, 2018, all federal agencies and . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. This chapter: A. Learn what you need to know in this article. The law applies to the federal government and organizations . Its purpose is to "require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities.". What is Section 508? What is the difference between Section 504 and 508? E202.1 General. First and foremost, it's the law - Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. On January 18, 2017, the U.S. Access Board published a final rule updating accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act. . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Examples of ICT include websites, telephones, multimedia . What is Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and why should you adhere to it when developing your product or services? Over 20 Implementing Regulations for federally assisted programs, including: 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities - regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government. This section bars the Federal government from developing, using, or procuring electronic and information technology (E&IT) goods and services (including web design) that are not accessible to those with disabilities. Section 501 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act All Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) websites, applications, and other digital media are expected to comply with Section 508 requirements. Section 508 is an amendment of the United States Rehabilitation Act of 1973. What is the difference between Section 504 and 508? Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act revised standards are harmonizing the international standards, one of which is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). It applies both to tech used by federal employees, and tech used . New and redesigned sites should be compliant when submitted to the Web Governance Team for approval to send live. (a) (1) The remedies, procedures, and rights set forth in section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a law that requires the Federal Government to provide access to its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to people with disabilities. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires Federal agencies to make their electronic and ICT accessible to people with disabilities. Sections 501 and 505. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act does not place requirements on vendors. Ensures that Service employees and members of the public with disabilities have access to Information and Communication Technology . What is Section 508? The standards are required to be published by February 7, 2000. If making the electronic and information technology accessible would impose an undue burden on us, we will provide individuals with disabilities the . Section 508, an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, mandates that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. One of the areas that Gary and I are concerned about is in the area program access under 504, 501, and 503. Section 508 is a clause that was added to a piece of legislation in the United States. What is Section 508? Section 508 requires that persons with disabilities have access to and use of information and data comparable to the information available . This is where Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act comes in. The Rehabilitation Act was originally signed into law in 1973. This employment can include programs conducted by federal agencies, work programs that receive federal assistance, and work given through federal contracts, among many others. 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities - regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government. On a webpage, this includes all text, images, sounds, code, and markup. New and redesigned sites should be compliant when submitted to the Web Governance Team for approval to send live. Section 508, an amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. When originally drafted, Section 508. link-external. 794d) requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use information and communication technology (ICT), Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with . It states that all federal agencies must make their EIT accessible to people with disabilities. For the majority of software and mobile apps, the W3's . These Acts prohibit employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms and conditions of employment including a request . Section 508 requires all federal agencies to make their electronic and . 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 Section 508. iv was first introduced in 1986, but was fairly useless due to ineffectual enforcement mechanisms. Section 508: This section addresses information technology; specifically, it requires federal agencies' information and communications technology to be accessible to disabled people. What is Section 508? Technology is deemed to be "accessible" if it can be used as effectively by . It is in essence an extension of Section 504. Section 504 was originally the last line of the Rehabilitation Act, but did not have any implementing rules. This means that Section 508 uses WCAG 2.0 to measure the compliance of any documents, web content, and software. Section 508. (Other sections of the Rehabilitation Act apply to affirmative action - Sections 501 and 503, accessible technology - Section 508, and legal remedies - Section 505.) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was added in 1998 to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities, including both employees and members of the public. Section 508 requires that U.S. federal departments and agencies to develop, procure, maintain, or use only electronic and information technology ("EIT") that is accessible for people with disabilities, unless doing . . Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy and defines roles and responsibilities for implementing Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 508); and. Under Section 508, agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public, and senior workers access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. Section 508 is a Federal law that is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established guidelines for technology accessibility. Ensure 508 Compliance with an Accessibility Strategy. Over 20 years, the Rehabilitation Act was amended to address technology and accessibility. Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires the federal government to actively hire and promote workers with disabilities. What is Section 508 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973? The regulations for this law require the federal government to provide equal access to training and promotion opportunities, and reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs and services run by the federal government or its contractors. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that the federal government develop, procure, maintain, and use information and communication technology (ICT) that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. 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 Federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. Under Section 508, "[federal] agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information comparable to the access available to others." While Section 508 specifically applies to government agencies, private businesses must also . T he U.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. Accessibility means ensuring access to information or products for individuals who have a disability. Navigation The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) revised standards for electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by Federal agencies. Section 508 was made part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in 1998. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. ICT shall be exempt from compliance with the Revised 508 Standards to the extent specified by E202. This is where Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act comes in. "According to the Centers for Disease . Section 508 Background. "According to the Centers for Disease . Section 508, an amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. Who is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973? Section 508. With the advent of the Internet, an amendment (Section 508) was signed into law in 1998, expanding the Rehabilitation Act to include equal access to electronic and information technology. 794d), as amended by the workforce investment act of 1998 (p.l. 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 . Examples of ICT include web sites, telephones, multimedia . Establishes U.S. On a webpage, this includes all text, images, sounds, code, and markup. That particular piece of legislation was the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which was amended in 1998 to include Section 508. 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 . Ensure 508 Compliance with an Accessibility Strategy. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) requires all electronic and information technology (also referred to as information and communication technology or ICT) that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by a federal agency to be accessible to people with disabilities. In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and added Section 508. Section 508 is part of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which itself is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Search this site Search. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 508. This is Section 508. Section 504 was originally the last line of the Rehabilitation Act, but did not have any implementing rules. In short, this policy aims to make . Section 508 (a) (2) (A) of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 requires the Access Board to publish standards setting forth a definition of electronic and information technology and the technical and functional performance criteria necessary for accessibility for such technology. Pat Sheehan (VA) and Gary Morin (NIH NCI) talk about the relationship between the Section 508 Coordinator and Reasonable Accommodations. The refresh in January of 2017 updated accessibility guidelines and requirements for information and communication technology . This means that Section 508 uses WCAG 2.0 to measure the compliance of any documents, web content, and software. T he U.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. Those with a history . Specifically, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is what defines the term. In June 2004, the Department of Justice issued the Section 508 Report, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Accessibility for People with Disabilities in the Information Age. 105-220) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain and use information and communications technology (ict) that is accessible to people with disabilities - regardless of whether or not they work for the federal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended 29 U.S.C. The U.S. Access Board establishes the Section 508 standards . Under Section 508, "[federal] agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information comparable to the access available to others." While Section 508 specifically applies to government agencies, private businesses must also . This section aims to "require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities." Section 508 requires Federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. 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. The Rehabilitation Act was passed long before modern technology. To meet this commitment, the NLRB Web site complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. B. 508 Compliance, therefore, involves developing a website that can be used by . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) requires all electronic and information technology (also referred to as information and communication technology or ICT) that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by a federal agency to be accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (hereafter, "Section 508"), as amended, mandates that Federal agencies "develop, procure, maintain, or use" ICT in a manner that ensures Federal employees with disabilities have comparable access to, and use of, such information and data relative to other Federal employees, unless doing so would . 1999 Self-Evaluation Survey and Report. section 508 of the rehabilitation act (29 u.s.c. (See section C.3 above) However, a vendor must design and manufacture products or services that meet the applicable Access Board's technical provisions if it wishes to sell those products or services to the government. Learn what you need to know in this article. Monday, December 4, 2017. Therefore, it covers digital accessibility. This includes employees as well as members of the public. (i) to make equipment owned by the Federal Government available for access and use by individuals with disabilities covered by paragraph (1) at a location other than that where the electronic and information technology is provided to the public; or Technology is "accessible" if, regardless of the medium of the technology, individuals with disabilities to . The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. E202.2 Legacy ICT. The Section 508 amendment came about as part of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which was intended to expand employment, retention . Section 508 addresses every aspect of electronic documents, from tagging content and animated displays to TTYs and usability of keys and controls. 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities - regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government. Accessibility means ensuring access to information or products for individuals who have a disability. . Act), as amended, as these sections will appear in volume 29 of the United States Code, beginning at section 791. Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that persons with disabilities (both employees and members of the public) have comparable access to and use of electronic information technology. Remedies and attorney fees. (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 CMS' Accessibility Statement & Commitment A new and improved Section 508 was signed into law in 1998 as an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act v. Section 508 covers access to federal programs and services in regards to electronic and information technology vi The Rehabilitation Act was the first major civil rights act in the U.S. to expand federal protections for people with disabilities. ICT applies to the information technology and other equipment your agency procures, develops, uses, and maintains. L. 93-112) (Rehab. EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is the text of Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Acis an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act that refers specifically to electronic and information technology (EIT). What is Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and why should you adhere to it when developing your product or services? IT Accessibility/Section 508. 794d) requires that federal agencies provide equal or comparable access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to disabled employees and members of the public. This clause "requires Federal [Government/public sector] agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Under Section 508, the Postal Service must ensure, absent an undue burden, that ICT allows employees and applicants access to . 2000e-5 (f) through k)] shall be available, with respect to any complaint under section 791 of this title, to any . 6 min read. The U.S. Access Board establishes the Section 508 standards . 105-220), August 7, 1998. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. That means that any electronic and information technology used, maintained, developed, or procured by HHS must be accessible to persons with disabilities. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act revised standards are harmonizing the international standards, one of which is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). When Federal agencies buy, build, maintain, or use Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that agencies must give people with disabilities (both employees and members of the public) access to information comparable to the access available to others, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. . Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires Federal agencies to make electronic and information technology they use, maintain, develop, or procure accessible to individuals with disabilities. With the advent of the Internet, an amendment (Section 508) was signed into law in 1998, expanding the Rehabilitation Act to include equal access to electronic and information technology. 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain or use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities - regardless of whether or not they work for the federal government. What is Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require all federal agencies to develop, procure, maintain, and use information and communication technology -- ICT -- also known as electronic and information technology -- E&IT -- that is accessible to everybody, including individuals . Section 508 is a Federal law that is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which established guidelines for technology accessibility. With this, Information and Communications Technology, or ICT, is gathered and filed for people with disabilities to have easy access. The Reauthorized Rehabilitation Act of 1998 included amendments to Section 508 of the Act. All Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) websites, applications, and other digital media are expected to comply with Section 508 requirements. Section 508 requires that U.S. federal departments and agencies to develop, procure, maintain, or use only electronic and information technology ("EIT") that is accessible for people with disabilities, unless doing so would be an "undue burden" on the department or agency. Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government. 508 compliance refers to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in relation to employment. Any component or portion of existing ICT that complies with an earlier standard issued pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (as republished in Appendix D), and that has not been altered on or after January 18, 2018, shall not be . Section 508 is an amendment to the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which U.S. President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1998. Section 508 For the Federal government, the requirement for accessibility is a law known as Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires agencies to give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others The NLRB is committed to providing access to our site for all persons with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a U.S. civil rights law passed in 1990 that protects people from being discriminated against on the basis of disability. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act enforces Federal Agencies to consider providing employees with disabilities usable or adaptive equipment or hardware, causing no hardship in the performance of their duties. Section 508 Surveys and Reports. We understand that partnerships with our own 504 offices . In April 1999, the Attorney General issued a package of detailed self-evaluation materials . Section 508 requires that any technology that's used by a federal agency or department has to be accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.