* 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.
* [ Source: Section 508 Web site]
Table of Contents
The legislation referred to as “Section 508” is actually an amendment to the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 requires that electronic and information technology (IT) that is developed or purchased by the Federal Government is accessible by people with disabilities.
