Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations case study
Ensuring Section 508 Compliance
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Transcript of Ensuring Section 508 Compliance
How to include Section 508 in acquisitions, grants, and business initiatives
Gary M. Morin, NIH Section 508 Program, Analyst
How to include Section 508 in acquisitions, grants, and business initiatives
Gary M. Morin, NIH Section 508 Program, Analyst
Today’s Discussion Integrating Section 508 in the procurement process,
specifically the HHSAR language. Why 508 is important to include in RFAs and how to do
it. Business Initiatives and Section 508. Q&A - now’s your chance!
Disability LawsRehabilitation Act: 501: ensures Fed agency applicant & employee accessibility and non-discrimination
503: ensures Federal Gov’t Contractor (>$10,000) non-discrimination
504: ensures non-discrimination by “any program or activity” that is funded by the Federal Gov’t
508: requires agencies “procure, maintain, and use” EIT that is accessible.
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Title I – Requires employee accessibility (including State/tribal Gov’t)
Title II – Requires accessibility to all state activities by the public
Section 508 Covers Electronic and Information Technology
(EIT)
Requires “comparable access”
A civil rights law achieved via acquisitions
Section 508Standards-based
Accessibility, not accommodationNo cost/value factor – 508 is not a value calculation!
Most like SecuritySome limited, rare exceptions
Integrating Section 508 in Acquisitions – CO/COTR Contracting Officer
Ensure Requiring Official meets 508 responsibilities
Act as conduit for vendor questions/responses
Enforce HHS Section 508 policy and HHSAR
Ensure Clearances
COTR
Determine Applicable Provisions
Evaluate Vendor responses (HHS PAT – Product Assessment Template)
Monitor Change request impact on Section 508
Include Section 508 in acceptance testing
Integrating Section 508 in Acquisitions – Requiring Official Acquisitions Planning
Determining if EIT
Identify COTR or 508 SME
Evaluation Criteria
Clearance
Applicable Provisions
36 CFR 1194 (.21-.41)
Language (SOW)
From HHSAR
Must include applicable provisions
Integrating Section 508 in Acquisitions – Requiring OfficialEPLC
508 Critical Partnerconditions
Exceptions508 Coordinator Clearance
Evaluation Reading the PAT
AcceptanceTest against HHS acceptance criteria
Engage Section 508 Coordinator when needed
Integrating Section 508 in Acquisitions – The bottom lineAcquisitions planning
Exceptions signoffSolicitations :
Use the right language! (HHSAR) – warrants 508 Include applicable provisions in SOW Get a PAT
Contracts: Language (again!) Acceptance criteria (checklists)
Option Years Require 508 Annual Report
Why 508 is important to Grants and AgreementsOverlapping laws
504ADATelecommunications Act
Liability & Due DiligenceHHS’ name is on many of these materialsGuilt by associationCost of litigation/public impact
How to include electronic access in Grants/AgreementsTie to Section 504 requirementModify existing 504 language to require accessible
IT in program activitiesRequire accessible electronic documentsReference HHS acceptance criteria/checklistsStates may have equivalent standards
MOAs with other Fed agenciesGovTrip and MyPay – the story so farRequire Section 508
Identify applicable provisionsMandate HHS acceptance criteria unless other formal
acceptance criteria usedRequire documentation (PAT) at a minimum
General issue resolutionWhat is the mechanism for issue resolution if HHS is
unsatisfied?
Business Initiatives and 508Communications and Marketing to SDB and DV-
owned businessesReferrals to Section 508 coordinator for help with
understanding 508 requirementsPossible business opportunities
Testing 508 complianceSubcontracting re: 508 developmentHelping vendors fill out PATs
Gary M. Morin, Program Analyst NIH Office of the Chief Information Officer (301) 402-3924 Voice, (301) 451-9326 TTY/NTS (240) 380-3063 Videophone; (301) 402-4464 Fax Section 508 Guidance, http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html
[DILBERT cartoon used with Scott Adams’s Permission]
Questions and Answers