10 votes
I disagreeShould the Federal government enhance the Section 508.gov website into a robust Web Portal by collaborating with the IT industry to centralize expertise to provide education, testing tools, and professional development? What else could this portal provide?
5 votes
I disagreeCollect and post data for external web applications on an agency and/or OMG/GSA web site and post a similar data set on an agency’s intranet. Present it as a quarterly or yearly report by Providing a table which lists: 1) the agencies web applications (link to splash screen), 2) has/when accessibility testing occurred, 3) a compliance determination, 4) known accessibility defects (link), 5) work around or accommodation ...more »
Collect and post data for external web applications on an agency and/or OMG/GSA web site and post a similar data set on an agency’s intranet. Present it as a quarterly or yearly report by Providing a table which lists: 1) the agencies web applications (link to splash screen), 2) has/when accessibility testing occurred, 3) a compliance determination, 4) known accessibility defects (link), 5) work around or accommodation available (link), and 6) a method for providing accessibility feedback for each application.
This is a good way to evaluate an agencies performance, it addresses the Transparency objectives of the plan, and it also encourages agencies to mature their accessibility programs with a feedback tool to help the process.
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14 votes
I disagreeAffected individuals have difficulty lodging complaints against Section 508 because the enforcement model is based on procurement remedies. The result is that most unresolved E&IT complaints devolve into Section 501/503 (anti-discrimination), or more predominantly, Section 504 (reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals) issues. The Strategic plan should emphasize the importance of Section 508 compliance in aiding ...more »
Affected individuals have difficulty lodging complaints against Section 508 because the enforcement model is based on procurement remedies. The result is that most unresolved E&IT complaints devolve into Section 501/503 (anti-discrimination), or more predominantly, Section 504 (reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals) issues. The Strategic plan should emphasize the importance of Section 508 compliance in aiding Section 501/503 and Section 504, and more importantly, in minimizing the cost of meeting these other Sections of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. After all, they are all parts of the same law and federal agencies (and many organizations receiving Federal funds) are obligated to all of these Sections.
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34 votes
I disagreeThe suggestions received thus far are generally pretty good, but in they are nibbling at the edges rather than attacking the core of the problem. What distinguishes the very few agencies or components that have been relatively successful in implementing Section 508? It is top level executive understanding and support. Most top level executives do not understand the scale and scope of Section 508 and the need for them ...more »
The suggestions received thus far are generally pretty good, but in they are nibbling at the edges rather than attacking the core of the problem. What distinguishes the very few agencies or components that have been relatively successful in implementing Section 508? It is top level executive understanding and support. Most top level executives do not understand the scale and scope of Section 508 and the need for them to provide supportive policies, along with standardized procedures and practices. The FAR actually does a pretty good job of implementing Section 508 requirements, but it is rarely followed in practice. Further, Section 508 is often viewed as a procurement requirement for vendors, ignoring the fact that it also governs development, maintenance and use of E&IT within Federal Agencies. Until agency executives understand and get behind Section 508, implementation will continue to crawl at a snail’s pace.
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9 votes
I disagreeSection 508 requires agencies to select the product that best meets the Section 508 standards, but the FAR does not buttress the concept. A strategic plan that pledges to include “best meets” in the FAR would be welcomed. Recently case law stated that the FAR supersedes the “best meets” concept in Section 508 (an over simplification of a complicated decision but at its heart true).
11 votes
I disagreeIn the Metrics section of the plan, more specificity is needed for electronic content. It simply states “Agencies will review and evaluate electronic content for 508 compliance.” We need simple metrics, common across most agencies, that can be used to evaluate an agency’s commitment and effectiveness in implementing accessibility. The Section 508 refresh is increasing the scope of electronic content and the strategic ...more »
In the Metrics section of the plan, more specificity is needed for electronic content. It simply states “Agencies will review and evaluate electronic content for 508 compliance.” We need simple metrics, common across most agencies, that can be used to evaluate an agency’s commitment and effectiveness in implementing accessibility. The Section 508 refresh is increasing the scope of electronic content and the strategic plan can be used to encourage agency adoption. While measures against the majority of electronic content types in the latest ANPRM may be difficult, what can be reasonably measured should be included in the strategic plan’s metrics.
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2 votes
I disagreeAgencies must purchase E&IT, the market is not doing a great job of supplying compliant products and solutions, and so often agencies must purchase inaccessible products. The job does not end there though. An agency is still charged with implementing that E&IT in the most accessible manner give its ‘other than procurement’ obligations (develop, use, maintain). It is also still under Section 504 obligations. Agencies ...more »
Agencies must purchase E&IT, the market is not doing a great job of supplying compliant products and solutions, and so often agencies must purchase inaccessible products. The job does not end there though. An agency is still charged with implementing that E&IT in the most accessible manner give its ‘other than procurement’ obligations (develop, use, maintain). It is also still under Section 504 obligations. Agencies must improve their capabilities in developing, configuring, and implementing accessible solutions after they purchase E&IT irrespective of any "out of the box" Section 508 limitations. Metrics that promote accessible implementation post procurement are needed (contract acceptance criteria, project planning, life cycle management, accessibility governance, and accommodation planning).
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2 votes
I disagreeMore metrics that emphasize sound internal accessibility requirements are needed. Today's model agencies have trained developers, trained and deployed accessibility testers, implemented project life cycle accessibility requirements, posted accessibility acceptance gates (for internal applications and contract acceptance criteria), and other important agency governance measures to ensure an improving environment. The ...more »
More metrics that emphasize sound internal accessibility requirements are needed. Today's model agencies have trained developers, trained and deployed accessibility testers, implemented project life cycle accessibility requirements, posted accessibility acceptance gates (for internal applications and contract acceptance criteria), and other important agency governance measures to ensure an improving environment. The Strategic Plan should promote these Best Practices through targeted metrics that positively benefit agencies that mature their programs in these ways.
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