508 News Release

Be on the lookout for a new and improved section508.gov site! Details soon.

White House Launches Celebration Of 20th Anniversary Of Americans With Disabilities Act Posted by Kareem Dale on June 08, 2010 at 02:40 PM EDT Sunday night, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, kicked off the President’s and White House’s celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act while delivering remarks to over 2,000 people from around the World at the VSA International Festival at the Kennedy Center. Valerie’s remarks, which you can find below, noted the significance of this historic landmark civil rights legislation, highlighted some of the President’s initiatives thus far related to people with disabilities and previewed that senior administration officials will be commemorating this historic anniversary in the weeks to come with new policies and events.

Experts from the Veterans Health Administration share their insights on the top problems their Section 508 team helped developers solve. Their Presentation at the 2010 CSUN Conference in San Diego was a hit, and they are sharing the presentation with you.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 4-6 GSA Expo - Training Conference & Expo 2010
Orlando, Florida
Orange County Convention Center

May12 ICT Hearing - On May 12 the Access Board will hold a public hearing on its draft update of requirements for information and communication technology (ITC) covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on a draft of updated standards and guidelines released by the Board in March.

May 19 U.S. General Services Administration - Assistive Technology Day.
Presentations Repeated: 9-11 AM & 1-3 PM (choose morning or afternoon session)
This event will provide participants an opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in access technology from Freedom Scientific Product Managers, Eric Damery & Dusty Voorhees. Come to GSA and learn about: MAGic® Screen Magnification with “True” Dual Monitors – Finally, a real dual monitor solution for those with low vision. All your employees can now have the same dual monitor solution. Increase productivity by easily referencing information on one monitor while editing documents in the other monitor.

June 21 Comment period ends for Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Section 508 Standards. The Access Board issued the ANPRM and the announcement and preamble was published in the Federal Register (see http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6245.htm). The full text of the draft is available on our website (see our news release http://www.access-board.gov/news/ict-draft-rule.htm). See the Access Board for more information http://www.accessibilityonline.org/Schedule.

June 21-24 GSA Networks Conference - Save the date for GSA 2010 network Services Conference
Orlando, FL

August 10 - 12 12th Annual GSA SMARTPAY Training Conference
Atlanta, Georgia

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New Agency Shared Practices

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View the hearing webcast from May 1, 2008 on Draft Legislation Enhancing Access to Broadband Technology and Services for Persons with Disabilities. Also, view the Draft Act.

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Announcing Quick Links!

Check out Quick Links The path to simplified Section 508 compliance

Quick and easy pre packaged Section 508 solicitation documentation for a number of standard EIT deliverables. Currently available for 7 deliverables e.g. smartphone, digital camera. List keeps growing. Check back frequently. Includes information for vendors too....

VENDORS! The new BuyAccessible Product and Services Directory is available! You can:

• Create your account
• register your electronic and information technology products and services at https://app.buyaccessible.gov/DataCenter/.
  

Vendors should also refer to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). The purpose of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is to assist Federal contracting officials and other buyers in making preliminary assessments regarding the availability of commercial "Electronic and Information Technology" products and services with features that support accessibility.

GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS should refer to the BuyAccessible Wizard (BAW) to:

• conduct your market research on accessible electronic and information technology products and services
• meet your 508 requirements to acquire accessible products and services.