{
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    "title" : "Requirements for strengthening the federal government's commitment to digital accessibility |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Requirements for strengthening the federal government's commitment to digital accessibility",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"Requirements for strengthening the federal government's commitment to digital accessibility","deck" : "Understand the policy framework: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 Standards, and OMB Memo M-24-08","summary" : "Learn how to implement Section 508, and strengthen and maintain your agency’s commitment to digital accessibility.","date" : "2024-07-10T00:00:00Z","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","authors" : {"cathryn-camenzind" : "Cathryn Camenzind"},"topics" : {
        
            "accessibility" : "Accessibility",
            "governance" : "Governance",
            "human-centered-design" : "Human-centered design",
            "public-policy" : "Public policy"
            },"branch" : "bc-archive-content-3",
      "filename" :"requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility.md",
      
      "filepath" :"resources/requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility.md","slug" : "requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/requirements-for-strengthening-the-federal-government-commitment-to-digital-accessibility/","weight" : "1","content" :"\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-section-508\"\u003eWhat is Section 508?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.access-board.gov/about/law/ra.html\"\u003eSection 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973\u003c/a\u003e seeks to eliminate barriers to using technology. In 1998, President Clinton signed into law the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, which covers access to federally funded programs and services. The law strengthens Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires access to electronic and information technology provided by the federal government. Specifically, federal agencies must ensure that information and communication technology is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities by complying with the Section 508 standards issued by the U.S. Access Board.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires the U.S. Access Board to issue and publish \u003ca href=\"https://www.access-board.gov/ict/\"\u003eaccessibility standards\u003c/a\u003e that provide technical requirements for federal information and communication technology to ensure accessibility and usability by individuals with disabilities.  On January 18, 2017, the Access Board issued a final rule that updated the accessibility standards covered by Section 508. The final rule went into effect on January 18, 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn December 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/ofcio/m-24-08-strengthening-digital-accessibility-and-the-management-of-section-508-of-the-rehabilitation-act/\"\u003eM-24-08, Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act\u003c/a\u003e. This memo provides guidance to help agencies advance digital accessibility by:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintaining an accessible federal technology environment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePromoting accessible digital experiences.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinuing implementation of accessibility standards in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn part, this memo provides policy guidance to help federal agencies integrate digital accessibility into their everyday services and operations. Together, the law, standards, and policy guidance establish a framework for strengthening and maintaining the federal government\u0026rsquo;s commitment to digital accessibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-is-accessibility-important\"\u003eWhy is accessibility important?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisability impacts all of us. Up to \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html\"\u003eone in four adults in the United States\u003c/a\u003e (27%) have some type of disability, many of which are hidden or not recognizable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnology is a fundamental part of our daily routines — making it critical that technology remains accessible for everyone. Adopting digital accessibility best practices ensures we are serving the diverse needs of both the public and the federal workforce.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAside from the legal requirements, accessibility is good for business. Creating products and information that everyone can use \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/innovation/\"\u003edrives innovation\u003c/a\u003e, improves \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/customer-experience/\"\u003ecustomer experience\u003c/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/trust/\"\u003ebuilds public trust in government\u003c/a\u003e. Accessibility also helps you reach more stakeholders and, ultimately, achieve your agency’s mission.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-are-the-laws-and-policies\"\u003eWhat are the laws and policies?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Section 508” is often used colloquially as shorthand to refer to the various IT accessibility laws, regulations, and policies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTogether, these laws, regulations, and policies describe how to develop, procure, maintain, and use information and communication technology that are accessible to users with disabilities. This work applies to technology used by federal employees, as well as members of the public who use federal websites, digital services, and other technology.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle class=\"dg-ring\" aria-labelledby=\"cc01f05ba3b826155dded94cf4c8d472\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 id=\"cc01f05ba3b826155dded94cf4c8d472\" class=\"dg-ring__title\"\u003eIT accessibility laws and policies\u003c/h2\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies/\"\u003eExplore all Section 508 laws and policies\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-does-it-mean-to-strengthen-digital-accessibility-and-the-management-of-section-508-of-the-rehabilitation-act\"\u003eWhat does it mean to strengthen digital accessibility and the management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"focus-areas\"\u003eFocus areas\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOMB’s policy guidance in M-24-08 outlines six areas for agencies to focus on to build and sustain an accessible federal technology environment:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablish digital accessibility programs and policies\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuy accessible products and services\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesign and develop accessible digital experiences\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreate, communicate, and deliver accessible content\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvaluate, monitor, and collect feedback to improve accessibility\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCultivate a positive culture of digital accessibility\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003carticle\n  class=\"dg-note \"\n\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"dg-note__heading\"\u003e\n    \u003csvg\n      class=\"dg-note__icon usa-icon dg-icon dg-icon--large\"\n      aria-hidden=\"true\"\n      focusable=\"false\"\n    \u003e\n      \u003cuse xlink:href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/uswds/img/sprite.svg#notifications\"\u003e\u003c/use\u003e\n    \u003c/svg\u003e\n    \n      Note\n    \n  \u003c/h4\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eM-24-08 rescinds following four OMB memos:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Strategic Plan for Improving Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (published by OMB on January 24, 2013)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproving the Accessibility of Government Information (published by OMB on July 19, 2010)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsuring the Accessibility of Federal Electronic and Information Technologies Procured by Federal Agencies (published by OMB on November 6, 2007)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuying Accessible Electronic and Information Technology and Complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (published by OMB on August 11, 2005)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"agency-reporting-actions\"\u003eAgency reporting actions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOMB’s policy guidance in M-24-08 also requires agencies to complete a series of actions after the memo’s issuance on December 21, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithin \u003ccode\u003e30 days\u003c/code\u003e of issuance (by January 20, 2024), agencies must report the name and contact information of the agency-wide Section 508 program manager to OMB. After this action, agencies are required to report any changes to the designated agency-wide Section 508 program manager to OMB within 30 days.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithin \u003ccode\u003e90 days\u003c/code\u003e of issuance (by March 20, 2024), agencies must have digital \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies/website-accessibility-statement/\"\u003eaccessibility statements\u003c/a\u003e on all agency websites.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithin \u003ccode\u003e90 days\u003c/code\u003e of issuance (by March 20, 2024), agencies must have a public feedback mechanism for receiving complaints or reports about accessibility issues with agency websites and digital services and begin to track, review, and address feedback.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithin \u003ccode\u003e180 days\u003c/code\u003e of issuance (by June 18, 2024), agencies must \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/manage/policy-framework/introduction/\"\u003eassess their policies\u003c/a\u003e to ensure that accessibility considerations are incorporated in all relevant agency functions; develop a plan to update agency policies to align with the requirements of this memorandum, as needed; ensure any changes to policies are also updated in agency digital strategies; and make accessibility policies publicly available.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ccode\u003eEach year\u003c/code\u003e, agencies must report on their compliance with Section 508, in accordance with \u003ca href=\"https://www.section508.gov/manage/section-508-assessment/\"\u003ecriteria and instructions disseminated by OMB and published on Section508.gov\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle class=\"dg-ring\" aria-labelledby=\"5bb7ecedd2eedaf68023fb45a0fbe11e\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 id=\"5bb7ecedd2eedaf68023fb45a0fbe11e\" class=\"dg-ring__title\"\u003eOMB Memo M-24-08\u003c/h2\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/ofcio/m-24-08-strengthening-digital-accessibility-and-the-management-of-section-508-of-the-rehabilitation-act/\"\u003eExplore OMB Memo M-24-08, Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle\n  class=\"dg-note \"\n\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"dg-note__heading\"\u003e\n    \u003csvg\n      class=\"dg-note__icon usa-icon dg-icon dg-icon--large\"\n      aria-hidden=\"true\"\n      focusable=\"false\"\n    \u003e\n      \u003cuse xlink:href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/uswds/img/sprite.svg#notifications\"\u003e\u003c/use\u003e\n    \u003c/svg\u003e\n    \n      Note\n    \n  \u003c/h4\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eDigital.gov provides information and resources for federal agencies related to web and digital policies.  However, we cannot interpret the statutes or specific requirements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact OMB’s Office of the Federal CIO at \u003ca href=\"ofcio@omb.eop.gov\"\u003eofcio@omb.eop.gov\u003c/a\u003e with any questions about interpretations of the law and guidance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n"}
  ]
}