OMB has issued a memo to make agencies aware of existing resources and direct agencies to take stronger steps toward improving the acquisition and implementation of accessible IT.
It said agencies must buy and use accessible electronic and information technology – EIT — as required under section 508 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, so that persons with disabilities have equal access.
According to the memo, GSA has created a number of tools, available at section508.gov to help agencies develop accessible requirements, test the acceptance process, and share lessons learned and best practices.
GSA by the end of the year will issue updated guidance on making government EIT accessible, as well as update its general section 508 training to offer refreshed continuous learning modules that can be used by contracting officers, program/project managers and contracting officer technical representatives as they fulfill their federal acquisition certification requirements.
The Chief Information Officers Council also recently created an “accessibility committee” that is collaborating with GSA, the Department of Justice, and the US Access Board.
OMB said they are planning to administer a survey to allow agencies to assess their implementation of section 508, including accessibility of websites and other technology used by the agencies.
