Accessibility

Assistance with Accessibility

We are committed to making our electronic and information technologies accessible to people of all abilities. If you need help with any of our information products, please contact the DCAS Website Coordinator. Please be sure to specify the web page or file you need help with. This will allow us to address the issue more quickly.

Section 508/Accessibility Laws and Policies

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC § 701 et seq.) which requires that federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. It ensures that all users can obtain and use information quickly and easily.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: (29 USC 794d):

• requires agencies to provide people with disabilities equal access to electronic information and data similar to those who do not have disabilities.

• applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, obtain, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. The only exception to the law is if it would cause an undue burden on the agency.

• eliminates barriers in information technology

• makes new options available for people with disabilities

• encourages development of technologies that will help achieve these goals

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.

The updates:

• enhance accessibility to ICT for people with disabilities;

• make the requirements easier to understand and follow;

• update the requirements so that they stay on top of the ever-changing nature of the technologies covered; and

• unify the requirements with other standards in the U.S. and abroad.

More information on Section 508 and the technical standards can be found at:

• IT Accessibility Laws and Policies

• HHS Web Accessibility