Attached is the NWS Policy on Web Site Accessibility Certification which is effective immediately. The policy reflects the Department of Commerce (DOC) requirement to ensure Web sites of DOC Organizations comply with Department standards and policies. CIO's are required to certify annually that all Web sites of their organizations comply with the Department's Web standards and policies: http://www.osec.doc.gov/webresources/.
Specifically, "Standard Six" references Web Site Accessibility and applies to all Web-based intranet and Internet information and applications, regardless of whether developed in-house or by contractors. (Web pages posted before June 21, 2001, are not required to be made compliant.)
In summary, NWS Policy provides a process for the review and certification of NWS Web Sites for compliance with Section 508 Accessibility Standards. In addition, for those web authors who would like assistance meeting the Section 508 Standards, the OCIO will be happy to conduct certification testing and provide specific guidance on how to bring sites into compliance.
cc:
W - J. Kelly
Wx1 - J. Jones
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