Background
Final
FAR Ruling | General Contacts
Background
Section
508 was originally added to the Rehabilitation Act
of 1986, which established guidelines for technology
accessibility. In 1998, Section 508 was amended to
require that any electronic and information technology
developed, procured, maintained or used by federal
departments and agencies that develop, procure, maintain,
or use EIT to ensure that federal employees and members
of the public with disabilities have access to and
use of information and data, comparable to that of
employees and members of the public without disabilities
unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
| The
new standards provide technical criteria specific
to various types of technology and performance-based
requirements, which focus on the functional capabilities
of covered technologies. Specific criteria cover
software applications and operating systems;
web-based information or applications; telecommunications;
video or multi-media products; self contained:
closed products such as information kiosks and
transaction machines, and desktop and portable
items. Also covered is TTY compatibility and
communication access. For more information visit
the Access-Board. |
 |
[back to top]
Final
FAR Ruling
The
Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council(s) agreed on a final
rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) to implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Subsection 508(a)(3) requires the FAR
to be revised to incorporate standards developed
by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board (Access Board). The Access Board
published the final standards in the Federal Register
at 65 FR 80500, December 21, 2000. The date for the
Final FAR rules went into effect June 25, 2001.
A
proposed rule amending the FAR was published in the
Federal Register at 66 FR 7166, January 22, 2001
and the 60-day comment period ended March 23, 2001.
FINAL
FAR RULING – 48 CFR Parts, 2,7,10,11,12,
and 39 [FAC 97-27; FAR Case 1999-607]
General
Contacts
For
Further information, questions or comments related
to procurement, web accessibility, training and awareness,
legal inquiries, and VA's Section 508 Advisory Committee,
contact, VA's
Section 508 Testing and Training Center and/or Section
508 Coordinator located at VA Central Office
C10A. Please indicate in the subject line, the reason
of the email or the person you would like to contact. |
