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Section 508 for Beginners

Section 508 for Beginners. 2008. What is Section 508?. Part of 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998 Provides comparable access to those with disabilities as to those without

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Section 508 for Beginners

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  1. Section 508 for Beginners 2008

  2. What is Section 508? • Part of 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998 • Provides comparable access to those with disabilities as to those without • Includes any Electronic & Information Technology (EIT) that is developed, procured, maintained or used by the Federal Government and the US Postal Service • Law with teeth…Government can be sued Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  3. Why Enforce the Law? • Obviously, It Is a Law • It is the right thing to do • An agency can be sued and systems can be pulled out of production • Supports Federal and State initiatives • President’s Management Agenda • New Freedom Initiative • You have a vested interest Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  4. Why Enforce the Law? Do you have problems with? Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  5. Why Enforce the Law? Do you have one or more of the conditions listed on the previous slide? …what about family members? …or your friends? …or your co-workers? Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  6. U.S. Census Data 2006 • These numbers are approximate as of the American Community Survey, 2006 • 41.3 million people with some type of long-lasting condition or disability • 11.8 million people with sensory disability • 25.7 million people with some type of physical disability • 15.9 million people with mental disability http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/2006acs.html Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  7. Dissecting the Law • Law consists of three subparts • Subpart B - Technical standards for six categories of products • Subpart C – Functional performance criteria • Subpart D - Information and documentation requirements Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  8. Dissecting the Law • Subpart B consists of standards for: • Software applications/operating systems • Web-based information and applications • Telecommunication products • Video and multimedia products • Self-contained, closed products • Desktop and portable computers Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  9. Dissecting the Law • Subpart C • Technologies or components for which there is no specific requirement under the technical standards in Subpart B • Covers operation, including input and control functions, operation of mechanisms, and access to visual and audible information Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  10. Dissecting the Law • Subpart D • Consists of information, documentation and support • Requires manufacturer upon request, to provide compliant electronic text for all documentation associated with the product Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  11. Dissecting the Law • When determining the appropriate standards to use: • More than one category of standards may apply • Not all the standards in a category are necessarily applicable Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  12. Dissecting the Law • Technical Requirements drive the procurement, not Section 508 • Legal liability only pertains to the Procurement of IT, Services and Maintenance • Federal Government is liable for non-compliance, not the contractor or manufacturer Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  13. An Example of a Best Practice US Patent and Trade Office Their Process Their Program Their Training Common Requirements Hardware and COTS

  14. USPTO 508 Processes • USPTO has processes for the following: • Purchase of IT Hardware and COTS Products • Credit card Purchases of IT Products • Development and Maintenance of IT Software Systems • Creating or Maintaining Web Products Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  15. USPTO’s Section 508 Program • Staff available to help at any time • Features include: • Assistance with procurement • Consultation and testing during all phases of product development • Testing before product deployment • Training classes • Evaluation of latest technologies

  16. USPTO Section 508 Training • Training classes offered at USPTO include: • Writing accessible documents • Authoring Section 508 compliant web pages and applications • Developing compliant software • New and emerging technologies including AJAX and Flash

  17. Common Requirements • Person buying or creating a product signs a checklist certifying compliance • USPTO interpretation of Section 508 is based on the Letter of the Law, not the spirit of the law Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  18. Common Requirements • Check-and-balance • Non-compliant products will be pulled from the internet/intranet or stopped from going into production or returned to the vendor • Only Section 508Coordinator can authorize exemptions or waivers Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  19. Hardware and COTS • Includes IT Hardware and COTS products and services • ProductPurchaser is responsible for compliance • Of vendors who meet the functional requirements, determine who best meets the applicable Section 508 standards Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  20. Appendix: USPTO Forms The following slides contain samples of forms used by the USPTO’s Section 508 program.

  21. EIT Procurement Checklist Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  22. Purchase Card Pre-Purchase Worksheet Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  23. AIS Checklist Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  24. USPTO Accessibility Office Information • In the USPTO, the Accessibility Office is responsible for all EIT 504 and 508-related actions plus product evaluation and determining compliance • If you would like more information about the USPTO Section 508 Program you can contact: Joyce Miller • joyce.miller@uspto.gov • 571-272-5422

  25. What is Market Research? • The act of collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the marketplace to satisfy agency needs Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  26. Why Conduct Market Research? • FAR Requirement • Used to gauge the state of the EIT industry in meeting your requirements with products and services • Method for identifying products that meet Section 508 requirements Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  27. Market Research • Requiring Officials determine technical requirements • Identify products that meet those functional/technical requirements • Send appropriate 508 checklist to vendors who have the products • Take the stand that only vendors who provide completed checklist are eligible for contract consideration Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  28. Informal Market Survey • Vendor Internet site • Review of similar procurements by other agencies • Catalogs, product literature • Scientific journals • Business publications Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  29. Formal Market Survey Techniques • Using a published vehicle • Sources-sought announcements in the Federal Business Opportunities (www.FedBizOpps.gov) • RFI (Requests for Information) for planning purposes to gather appropriate technical information, approximate cost, and schedule information Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  30. What is the Buy Accessible Wizard? • The Buy Accessible Wizard is a web-based tool that: • Guides users through the acquisition process, gathering data and providing information about electronic and information technology (E&IT) and Section 508 compliance • Compiles a running summary documenting the process and its results • The Buy Accessible Products and Services Directory • Access to vendor provided accessibility information • The Buy Accessible System makes compliance with the requirements of Section 508 as easy and thorough as possible

  31. Who Should Use the Wizard? • Micro purchasers (IT) with government purchase cards • Program technical specialists (IT) that determine acquisition requirements • Program requirements officer – responsible for program requirements documentation development, consolidation • Contract officers that specify (IT) requirements on behalf of agency programs

  32. How Can the Wizard Help Your Agency? • Standardize the process you use for each acquisition. • Document your procedures to demonstrate due diligence • Maximize market research. Use vendor-supplied accessibility information about the commercial availability of accessible EIT products and services prior to solicitation. • Tailor your solicitations. Ensure there is specific Section 508 language in each solicitation that includes EIT. • Require accessibility information. • Document accessibility as a factor in source selection • Document accessibility as a factor in inspection and acceptance

  33. Be Our Guest for a Test Drive • We invite you to test drive the Buy Accessible Wizard Release 3 • To access the Buy Accessible Wizard Release 3 go to: http://www.buyaccessible.gov/and use the Guest User login

  34. The VPAT and Market Research • Voluntary Product Accessibility Template • Completed by the Vendor • Information on how a product or service conforms to the Section 508 Access Board standards • Optionally, posted on their vendor site and linked to Buy Accessible Wizard Tool • Vendors are not required to complete a VPAT Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  35. Examples of VPATS

  36. Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 VPAT • Date: 3/30/2007 • Name of product: Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS3 • http://www.adobe.com/resources/accessibility/tools/vpat/dreamweaver_cs3_508.html Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  37. Mozilla Firefox 3.0 VPAT • Date: 06/10/2008 • Name of Product: Firefox 3.0 • General Comments: Information in this VPAT is relevant to Firefox 3.0 running on a Windows 2000, Server 2003, XP, or Vista operating system. Additional developer tools exist in this product that are not installed by default. These optional tools have not been tested. • http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/vpat-3.html Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  38. Sample Source of VPAT InformationUsed by the USPTO http://www.evengrounds.com/resources/vpat-directory • Contains a concise list of companies with VPATs • Companies can be added to the list • Further information on what is needed in a VPAT

  39. Tips for Selecting a Vendor • Review vendor’s checklist • All standards are equal in importance • Do NOT accept “yes”, a checkmark, or “meets standards” • Need more information to make informed decision • If unsure, ask vendor for more information • Since vendor claimed compliance, they should have information readily available Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  40. Tips for Selecting a Vendor Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  41. Tips for Selecting a Vendor • Review Possible exemptions • Check with the agency’s appointed authority • Exemptions include: • Back Office - Equipment or software which resides in a data center or communication closet that cannot be readily accessed or accessed remotely • Fundamental Alteration - altering design and/or alteration of the function of the device or operation Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  42. Tips for Selecting a Vendor • Review Possible exemptions • Commercially non-available at time of buy • Support & Maintenance agreements • USPTO Position - There is No Such Creature called Undue Burden or Deferred Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  43. Tips for Selecting a Vendor • Complete processing procurement request • Consider a Sole Source purchase • Buyer completes checklist and signs it, certifying Section 508 compliance Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  44. Tips for Selecting a Vendor • Complete processing procurement request • Section 508 Coordinator reviews and initials procurement checklist • Buyer processes request with the checklist and supporting documents • Market Research • Most Compliant Vendor • Sole Source Justification Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  45. Micro-Purchase and Section 508Purchase Card Program • Effective April 1, 2005 all purchases of electronic information technology (EIT) products must comply with Section 508 requirements • This includes (1) GSA schedule purchases, (2) open market purchases and (3) buys that cost $3,000 or less Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  46. Requiring Official's Responsibilities • Understanding the Section 508 requirements and requesting products that are Section 508 compliant • If a product does not conform with Section 508, it still may be purchased, but the file must be documented in accordance with the exceptions listings for Section 508 requirements Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  47. Approving Official’s Responsibilities • Ensure that the purchasing cardholders within their organization are complying with the Section 508 requirement • Review any documentation that has been provided Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  48. Purchase Cardholder’s Responsibilities • Ensure all necessary documentation has been reviewed and completed before purchasing any EIT products Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  49. Developing Software • Writing the code for a new or revised system, makes it difficult to claim any type of exemption • Retrofitting a system for compliance is extremely expensive • A system should not go into production if it has Section 508 deficiencies Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

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