Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

"On August 7, 1998, President Clinton signed into law the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 which covers access to federally funded programs and services.

The law strengthens section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires access to electronic and information technology provided by the Federal government. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Federal agencies must ensure that this technology is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities to the extent it does not pose an ‘undue burden.’
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U.S. Access Board

In 1998 the U.S. Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act with a requirement of Federal agencies to provide people with disabilities access to their electronic and information technology. Section 508 was enacted to reduce barriers in IT, and to improve opportunities for people with disabilities while encouraging development of new technologies that will help individuals achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies that develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. §794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.

Section 508 speaks to various means for disseminating information, including computers, software, and electronic office equipment. The Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility standards for such technology for incorporation into regulations that govern Federal procurement practices. The Access Board issued their Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000. The final standards help Federal agencies determine whether or not a technology product or system is accessible.

Netwrix and Section 508

Netwrix Corporation believes that Section 508 is good for industry, government and, most significantly, for people with disabilities, and will lead to an increased number of people with disabilities finding employment that suits their talents and skills.

We entirely support Section 508 compliance with the goal of equality and will adjust our product design best practices to help government comply with their new regulations.