About Accessibility
What is accessible software?
Accessible software is usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities—regardless of disability, age and functional limitations. This includes products that are directly usable (without requiring assistive technologies) and those that are made compatible with assistive technologies http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm.
What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a set of accessibility guidelines issued by the Access Board—the Federal entity responsible for creating accessibility standards http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=3. It 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.
Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘ 794d), U.S. government agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. Their software must be accessible to people with disabilities. The compliance standards have been incorporated into the Federal government's procurement regulations http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=13. The standards apply to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain or use electronic and information technology.
Send questions and comments to 508admin@compuware.com.
|
