Blind Veterans can now read decision letters
VA now offers accessibility to blind Veterans so they can independently read decision letters online. — via U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Section 508
Resources on Section 508
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Tabular Comparison of the Previous FAR Text Against the 2021 Update
These FAR Council updates are effective as of September 10, 2021.
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Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 39.2 - Information and Communication Technology
This subpart implements section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 d), and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers …
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How to Test Websites for Accessibility
Use both manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites.
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U.S. Access Board Section 508 Standards
The Section 508 Standard for Electronic and Information Technology requires that when a federal agency shares information digitally, …
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Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Web …
Tools and Services
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Section508.gov
Guidance for Federal agencies on IT accessibility compliance.
News and Events on Section 508
38 posts
A digital accessibility catalyst for your next policy refresh
Use GSA’s IT Accessibility Policy Framework to update digital accessibility language in your agency’s policies.
Modernizing a federal government website with user-centered design
In this blog post, we break down our process for redesigning a federal government website (onrr.gov) into six detailed sections. This blog serves as a helpful guide for other agencies looking to do a major website redesign. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Accessibility Testing for onrr.gov
How do you make sure a website is accessible? This blog post outlines the four steps the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR - pronounced like "honor") at the U.S. Department of the Interior took to verify accessibility. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience
Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience—Private sector organizations use revenue as the primary measurement to justify improving experiences. Many government services don’t have revenue as a lever, so how can we justify work to improve experience? The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) leveraged a few metrics on their team that fall into three categories: laws and regulations, improving the experience for users, and saving time for employees. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
New on Section508.gov: Integrating Accessibility into DEIA Implementation Plans
New on Section508.gov: Integrating Accessibility into DEIA Implementation Plans — Accessibility, the “A” in DEIA, is a foundation on which the federal workforce must build diversity, equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. Without accessibility, we cannot truly achieve the others.
The GSA Government-wide IT Accessibility Program has published “Integrating Accessibility into Agency Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Implementation Plans,” a guide designed to support the Accessibility roadmap outlined in the Government-wide Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce. The guidance contained in this article is a preliminary step before offering broader updates to guidance and best practices materials to meet this objective.
— via Section508.gov
FAR Updated To Add Revised Section 508 Standards for Information and Communication Technology
FAR Updated To Add Revised Section 508 Standards for Information and Communication Technology—On January 18, 2017, the U.S. Access Board issued a final rule (the Revised 508 Standards) that updated accessibility requirements covered by Section 508 for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Read more about the final FAR rule update and changes effective as of September 10, 2021. — via Section508.gov
Plain Language
Plain Language: Accessibility for Content
Come join us as we focus on concerns and opportunities shared by the Section 508 and plain language communities in Government!
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Hosted by Digital.gov and the Plain Language Community of Practice
2021
How to Test Websites for Accessibility
How to Test Websites for Accessibility—Use both manual and automated testing methods to create accessible websites. — via Digital.gov
This Week's IDEA
Spring Cleaning Tips for Web Content
This week, we’re providing a few tips for tidying up redundant, outdated, and trivial content.
Introducing Accessibility for Teams
A quick-start guide for embedding accessibility and inclusive design into a team’s workflow.
Learn About the Updated IT Accessibility Standards
Effective January 18, 2018, the revised 508 standards modernize the federal government’s IT accessibility standards and bring us into alignment with governments around the world.
A Conversation With ITIF About the State of Federal Government Websites
Since it’s been nearly six months since their report was released, we wanted to check in with ITIF and see what they’ve learned, what they’ve heard from agencies and what their future plans are to build on this research.
Benefits of Accessible Design
According to the World Bank, approximately one billion people worldwide live with a disability, making up the world’s largest minority. Designing from an accessibility-first standpoint has the potential to benefit all stakeholders, not just people with disabilities, because accessible design typically delivers a better user experience. Currently many websites and digital platforms are inaccessible, which makes them difficult
NASA’s Journey With the U.S. Web Design Standards
The U.S. Web Design Standards were created by the government, for the government. They’re currently implemented on hundreds of government sites, with an audience of more than 26 million monthly users.
