The VA reported in 2021 that only 41 of 462 internet sites and 22 of 350 intranet sites were fully compliant. Image: T. Schneider/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe VA is falling short on complying with requirements to make its websites and other information technology accessible to the public as well as to its own employees, an inspector general audit has said.
The report follows recent similar findings by the GSA of lack of compliance government-wide with the “Section 508” requirements of the Rehabilitation Act designed to ensure people with disabilities have access to all information and data comparable to that of individuals without disabilities.
The IG report noted that in response to a request from Congress, the VA reported in 2021 that only 41 of 462 internet sites and 22 of 350 intranet sites were fully compliant. It credited the VA with taking steps afterward including prioritizing websites that receive the most visits and planning to then address those with fewer views.
However, it added that the VA’s report “did not include all VA websites as required,” including those on an application used to create internal intranet sites for use by its own employees and contractors, plus other sites both internal and public-facing. The department “also did not consistently enforce the requirement that web managers add and certify all internet and intranet sites” on a registry of sites, it said.
In addition, some IT systems “had not been assessed for compliance with Section 508 requirements” and some Section 508 designations were “inaccurate because administrations and staff offices did not update or validate them,” it said.
VA management concurred with recommendations to address those findings.
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