Office on Disability

Summary of HHS Policy for Section 508

Electronic and Information Technology (EIT)

This policy for implementing Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, follows up on Secretary Thompson’s August 30, 2001 Memorandum to all HHS Employees on Accessibility to Federal Electronic and information Technology (EIT). In this memorandum the Secretary stated, “Every HHS employee has a collective responsibility for compliance with Section 508’s mandate to make our information accessible to individuals with disabilities. This means that HHS employees must take proactive actions to ensure that all electronic and information technology and all new or revised information made available on the Internet and the Intranet meet the new accessibility standards.”

The attached policy will ensure that all HHS employees, Divisions and contractors are in full compliance with Section 508. This policy applies to all Departmental electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used after June 21, 2001.

The policy requires that each HHS Operating Division Head and the Office of the Secretary (which includes all Staff Divisions) will designate an individual at the senior manager level as the Division’s Section 508 Official. The designated Division Section 508 Official will facilitate that Division’s implementation of the Section 508 standards, regulations, policies and procedures. Each Operating Division and the Office of the Secretary will develop a Section 508 Implementation Plan, which will include:

• Procedures for processing exception requests, including undue burden exceptions to Section 508.
  
• Procedures for ensuring Section 508 employment discrimination complaints are forwarded to the HHS Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office and other complaints from employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public alleging a failure to comply with Section 508 arcs forwarded to the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for investigation and resolution.
  
• Procedures for handling other Division Section 508 responsibilities such as:
  
  • Providing such information to the Attorney General as the Attorney General determines is necessary to prepare biennial reports.
    
  • Maintaining copies of the Division’s approved and denied undue burden exceptions and other requests.
    
  • Description of the roles and responsibilities of the various Division individuals who have ongoing Section 508 responsibilities.
    
  • Description of ongoing Division Section 508 outreach activities. This should include items, such as Section 508 training for all employees, both as part of new employee orientation, and Project Officer training.