Section 508:

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Section 508 Law:Photograph of FOSE 2000 Exhibit

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual's ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. 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. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘ 794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. It is recommended that you review the laws and regulations listed below to further your understanding about Section 508 and how you can support implementation.
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Buy Accessible:
Buy Accessible represents a partnership between government and industry to provide a service to federal procurement staff. It assists government personnel in completing market research necessary to ensure that they are buying the most accessible IT products and services available in order to conform to Section 508.

Web Accessibility Initiative:

WAI, in coordination with organizations around the world, pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development

National Federation of the Blind:

Founded in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the nation's largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons. With fifty thousand members, the NFB has affiliates in all fifty states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and over seven hundred local chapters. As a consumer and advocacy organization, the NFB is considered the leading force in the blindness field today.

Arizona Industries for the Blind:

Arizona Industries for the Blind was established in 1952 to provide employment and training opportunities for Arizonans who are legally blind. Most individuals of working age who are legally blind can compete successfully for good jobs if they're given the opportunity to develop skills and increase their self-confidence.

Arizona Industries for the Blind operates primarily under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Program.  Created in 1938, this unique federal procurement program employs nearly 40,000 Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities, enabling them to lead more productive and independent lives.

Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration:

Our mission is to work with individuals with disabilities to achieve increased independence and/or gainful employment through the provision of comprehensive rehabilitative and employment support services in a partnership with all stakeholders.

Vocational Rehabilitation:

The Vision for the Vocational Rehabilitation program is persons with disabilities becoming economically independent and decreasing or eliminating their need for ongoing government supports through integrated, meaningful, and sustained work.

This is achieved through a rehabilitation process which engages applicants and clients fully in actively exploring their vocational interests, abilities, capabilities and service/process options and in making choices.

The VR Program helps people with disabilities become or remain economically independent through work.


Disclaimer:  All information about the above organizations is obtained from their respective web sites and is the property of these organizations.
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