Dear
Colleagues,
Today we'd like to address the "E" in "Accessible E & IT".
Though many people often think accessibility refers to accessing information on the Web, E & IT accessibility also includes a person's ability to use the intranet, computers, telephones, copier, printers, fax machines, and kiosks. It is just as important to purchase accessible hardware!
According to the AccessIT knowledge base article, "Are there standards for developing or purchasing accessible fax machines, photocopiers, and other office equipment?" the only published standards are those in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which specifically applies to the federal government.
However, some states have made the standards mandatory for other state-level entities, including educational entities, while some others are voluntarily choosing to follow the standards
The standards outlined in Section 508 are organized into six product categories:
1194.21 Software applications and operating systems
1194.22 Web based intranet and Internet information and applications
1194.23 Telecommunications products
1194.24 Video and multimedia products
1194.25 Self contained, closed products
1194.26 Desktop and portable computers
An excellent resource to learn more about the standards is the "Section 508 Awareness Program, which was designed for federal employees to learn more about the essential components of the law, including: the history and purpose of the legislation, requirements, impacts on procurement, how people with disabilites interact with E & IT, roles & responsibilities. Anyone can access this tutorial at no cost.
The Trace Center also has a great compiliation of resources for accessible telecommunications products. See http://trace.wisc.edu/world/telecomm/
Dear
Colleagues,
This
is meant to be an informative e-mail to answer questions
you may have about procurement practices of accessible
electronic and information technology products and services.
There
is an informational web document available on the official
Section 508 Homepage that is a compilation of common questions
related to acquiring electronic and information technology
that have been posed by agencies, contractors, and members
of the disability community regarding Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act. The document answers many questions
such as:
- Do
the requirements of Section 508 apply to acquisitions
other than those for electronic and information technology
(EIT)?
- Should
EIT be compatible with assistive technology?
- Is
EIT limited to just products?
To
find out the answers to these questions and to locate
more resources for purchasing accessible products and
services please go to:
http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=75
For
more information on Section 508 refer to our website:
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/accessit/df_bg.htm
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to inform you of a tool that promotes accessibility at the procurement level called Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs). These are simple forms that can help university procurement officials determine the level of accessibility of products according to Section 508 guidelines.
Although, VPATs were initially developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) for Federal agencies, we believe that they can be an excellent and applicable tool for procurement offices at postsecondary institutions. They should be particularly helpful in Indiana where state legislation (PL 28-2003) mirrors the Federal 508 guidelines.
Many vendors fill out VPATs in order to demonstrate their compliance with Section 508 accessibility guidelines. University procurement agents can request these VPAT forms from a vendor before ordering a product as a means of determining its level of 508 compliance.
Please pass this information on to the people responsible for electronic and information technology procurement at your respective schools, or provide us with their email addresses so that we can pass along the information.
We would also be interested in hearing your feedback, questions, or comments about this resource.
For general information about VPATs, including how to use these templates:
http://www.itic.org/policy/508/Sec508.html
For a blank VPAT:
http://www.itic.org/reports/508/vpat.html
For completed examples access the links below:
Microsoft
WiserWays Software
SiteScape Software
