£EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Think 508 First!
Section 508 Quick Reference Guide
intranet.epa.gov/accessibility
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Section 508 - Access for All, Barriers for None
What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.
§ 794d) requires federal agencies to develop,
procure, maintain, or use electronic and
information technology (BIT) that is accessible
to people with disabilities - regardless of
whether or not they work for the federal
government. The U.S. Access Board establishes
the Section 508 standards in orderto implement
the law.
Is Section 508 the same as
Reasonable Accommodation?
Section 508 and Reasonable Accommodation
(Section 5 01) are often confused with each other.
Section 508 is about the BIT-the equipment and
the tools that people use to access information or
to do their jobs. Reasonable Accommodation is
about the individual and what he/she needs
because of his/her disability. Reasonable
accommodation removes workplace barriers for
individuals with disabilities.
Why does EIT have to be accessible?
Some people who access EPA's information
and resources may have disabilities. EPA has
employees with disabilities and any new
employees could potentially have disabilities.
Aperson can become disabled at any time either
temporarily or permanently. EPA makes its EIT
accessible so everybody can access EPA
information, because it is the right thing to do,
and because it is the law.
What is EIT?
Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) is any
equipment or system that EPA uses to create, convert,
duplicate or access information and data.
Examples of EFT include, but are not limited to:
• Smart phones and mobile devices
• Internet and Intranet websites
• PDF documents
• Content on DVDs and CDs
• On-line training
• Webinars and teleconferencing
• Technical support call centers
• Remote access websites and tools
• Tablet, laptop, and desktop computers
• Software and operating systems
• User guides for software and tools
• Copiers, printers, and fax machines
• Lab equipment
What does "Think 508 First" mean?
"Think 508 First!" when you develop, procure, main-
tain, or use EIT, and incorporate accessibility from the
beginning and throughout the acquisition and life cycle
of the services or products. When you "Think 508
First!", you are helping to ensure accessibility for
everyone and saving time and resources by taking care
of the 508 requirements throughout the project.
• First, determine if your product or service
is EIT, If it is EIT, Section 508 applies.
• Decide what 508 standards may be applicable.
• Write specific 508 requirements in contracts
and IT workplans.
• Test and verify compliance with 508
standards before accepting deliverables,
purchasing products and services, or
launching websites, applications, or trainings.
• Maintain a dialogue with developers,
contractors, and project teams, throughout the
acquisition and life cycle.
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Understanding Disabilities
Not all disabilities are obvious or easily identifiable. Many people tend to think of disabilities in absolutes:
can see or can't, can hear or can't. However, disabilities take a variety of forms and may not always be
readily apparent. Approximately 54 million Americans have some type of disability. Also, disabilities
may not be permanent and can be temporary as a result of a medical condition, illness or surgery. Accessible
EIT helps people with all kinds of disabilities. The important thing to remember is that disabilities are as
unique as the individuals they affect.
Visual - Blind or low vision, which includes a person
having dimness, haziness, color blindness, tunnel vision,
cataracts or eyesight problems.
Auditory - A person who is deaf or hard of hearing can
have a hearing loss ranging from mild to a total loss of
hearing. A person might hear sounds but may have
difficulty or is unable to comprehend spoken words.
Speech - Speech related disabilities may include
difficulty with voice strength, fluency, aphasia, which
may alter how words are articulated, or complete
voicelessness.
Dexterity - Most individuals who have dexterity
disabilities have limited or no use of their upper or lower
extremities. Individuals can have difficulty with
coordination and movement due to the effects of arthritis,
stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy,
Parkinson's disease, or accidents and injuries.
Cognitive - A cognitive disability is any disability that
affects mental processes and covers a wide range of
abilities.
Mobility - A person can have a motor impairment that
limits his/her mobility or range of motion. A person may
require the use of wheelchairs, canes, crutches, braces,
or prostheses which can hinder access to EIT controls on
kiosks or other closed products.
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EPA Accessibility Programs and Contact Information
Section 508 Program
Section 508 Executive Council
EPA's Section 508 Executive Council is responsible for
guiding the Agency's Section 508 Program. The Execu-
tive Council includes senior leaders from the EPA program
and regional offices, and it is co-chaired by the Director of
the Office of Information Analysis and Access (OIAA)
and the Director of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
Section 508 Coordinators
Section 508 Coordinators serve as the EPA's point of
contact for Section 508 information. The 508 Coordi-
nators work with the EPA offices to implement EPA's
Section 508 program on behalf of the Chief Informa-
tion Officer (CIO) and Section 508 Executive Council.
The coordinators provide consultation and information
about resources as needed.
Website: http://intranet.epa.gov/accessibility
E-mail: section508@epa.gov
Assistive Technology Center
The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) is a resource
located at EPA Headquarters for using adaptive and
assistive technology. Adaptive and assistive technol-
ogy (AT) is used by people with disabilities in a way
that best meets their individual needs. AT can include a
variety of tools such as hardware and software, braille
displays and note takers, larger monitors, volume hand-
sets for phones, ergonomic keyboards, etc. EPA
employees and system developers can test products,
software applications, agency applications, websites
and hardware with current versions of accessibility
testing tools and assistive technology in the ATC to
help ensure compliance with the Section 508 standards.
Reasonable Accommodation Program
Reasonable accommodations are designed to remove
workplace barriers for individuals with disabilities.
The Office of Civil Rights coordinates the Reasonable
Accommodation Program for EPA. In addition, there
are Local Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators
(LORACs) in EPA's ten regional offices, as well as in
the Research Triangle Park (RTF) and Cincinnati labs,
who can assist with implementing the program.
Website: http://intranet.epa.gov/civilrights/
reasonableaccommodation.htm
Special Emphasis Program for Persons
with Disabilities
The Office of Civil Rights manages and administers
the Agency's Special Emphasis Program for persons
with disabilities. The National Program Manager
provides policy guidance and technical assistance to
EPA managers on the prevention and elimination of
discrimination and harassment in the workforce for
persons with disabilities.
Website: http://intranet.epa.gov/civilrights/
special_program.htm
Additional Resources
EPA Section 508 Website
http://intranet.epa.gov/accessibility/
Federal Section 508 Website
www.section508.gov
Section 508 Standards
www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/
commumcations-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards
Section 508 - Access for All Barriers for None
EPA-260-F-12-001 October 2015
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