U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
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Indian Health Service (IHS) Web Accessibility Statement

Note: The contact information below is intended to help those who experience problems with the website related to the Section 508 regulations. If you have general questions or comments or are having difficulty finding information or using a web service, please contact the IHS Help Desk at ITSCHELP@mail.ihs.gov, 1-888-830-7280, or (505) 248-4371, or the IHS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page at: http://www.ihs.gov/GeneralWeb/HelpCenter/CustomerServices/FAQ_index.asp.

The Indian Health Service is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities, both members of the public and Federal employees. To meet this commitment, we will comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

For Alternative Access to Web Documents for Individuals With Disabilities

All information contained within the ihs.gov web site is available in English only. You can find a number of free translation utilities and software packages by searching for "free translation'" on your favorite Internet search engine.

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a common file format used to post information on this site.

If you are having difficulty viewing any information or file on the IHS site due to difficulties with adaptive technologies, contact the individual listed on the web page in the "Contact Us", "Feedback" or "This Page Maintained By…" hot link to request an alternate format of the web site version. The individual listed on a particular page is responsible for that specific web page and will be able to assist you. You can also contact the IHS Web Team Accessibility Help Desk 1-888-830-7280 or (505) 248-4371, which is staffed during business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mountain time), and they will assist you.

To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the preferred format in which to receive the material, the web address or hyperlink of the requested material, and your contact information.

Plug-ins and File Viewers

As part of IHS's approach to making content accessible, and in compliance with § 1194.22 (m) of the final rule, this page fulfills the requirement that "When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet…."

All applets, plug-ins, or other applications required by IHS.gov websites can be located on the IHS Plugins Website

Synopsis of Section 508 Accessibility Requirements:

Section 508 requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology (EIT), Federal employees with disabilities have comparable access to and use of information and data as Federal employees who have no disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have comparable access to and use of information and data as the public without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

Although Federal agencies have an explicit statutory obligation to make all EIT that they develop, maintain or use compliant with Section 508, the current emphasis is on newly procured EIT because it is the category that is explicitly enforceable by legal action. Procurement awards made on or after June 25, 2001, are subject to Section 508 (see FAR Final Rule ).

According to the Access Board, the Section 508 requirements do not apply retroactively to pre-existing EIT. Specifically, the "Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards: Economic Assessment," states that

"The standards are to be applied prospectively and do not require Federal agencies to retrofit existing electronic and information technology. As agencies upgrade and change their electronic and information technology, they must comply with the standards."
(See Chapter 2.1 Final Standards)

It should be noted, however, that other Federal regulations and guidelines (e.g., Section 501 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) require equal access for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, Federal agencies are required, upon request, to provide information and data to individuals with disabilities through an alternative means of access that can be used by the individuals.