A group of Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would require Federal agencies to take action to ensure people with disabilities can use the Federal government’s technology – including websites, software, documents, and digital content.
Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced the Section 508 Refresh Act last week, which would require Federal agencies to meet accessibility standards – something they are currently missing the mark on.
A report from the General Services Administration (GSA) released in late December found that Federal agencies’ IT products and services are largely not meeting digital accessibility standards.
The report looked at governmentwide compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires government information and communications technology (ICT) to be accessible for individuals with disabilities.
“Overall compliance to Section 508 is well below expectations given the Federal government has had over 20 years to implement programs capable of achieving and maintaining modern ICT standards,” the report says. “More than 75 percent of respondents are at or below average with respect to Section 508 compliance.”
The senators said Congress last made significant changes to Section 508 in 1998, when many Federal agencies were just starting to use the internet.
“So many Americans rely on programs and services provided by the Federal government – and yet, too many Federal websites and apps remain nearly impossible to use by Americans with disabilities, preventing them from accessing vital information and resources,” Sen. Duckworth said in a statement. “I’m proud to help Senator Casey introduce this legislation that would help ensure Federal websites and technology are more accessible for all users and make sure the disability community is not left behind in an increasingly digital world.”
The bill would refresh Section 508 by requiring Federal agencies to include people with disabilities in their tech acquisition and accessibility testing.
Additionally, it would reform the complaint process for Section 508 and “establish a new process for deciding what Federal technology is purchased – with rigorous accountability requirements for ensuring the technology is accessible,” according to the press release.
It would also require Federal agencies to conduct regular testing to ensure their technology is accessible, as well as direct each agency to appoint a dedicated Section 508 compliance officer.
Late last year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released guidance to Federal agencies to “advance digital accessibility by maintaining an accessible Federal technology environment, promoting accessible digital experiences, and continuing the implementation of accessibility standards.”
In a memo dubbed “Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act,” OMB Director Shalanda Young outlined areas on which agencies must focus to build and sustain an accessible Federal technology environment.
Specifically, the memo called on agencies to establish an agency-wide Section 508 program and designate a leader accountable for defining and overseeing digital accessibility processes – including how digital accessibility issues are reported, tracked, and resolved – within 30 days.
The memo also called on agencies to establish policies and procedures to manage the accessibility of ICT.
