I. PURPOSE

This charter defines the authority, membership, duties, and responsibilities for the Section 508 Coordination Team (the Team) and its relationships to other internal and external bodies.

The Team reports to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), providing analysis and recommendations concerning the implementation and enforcement of Section 508. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that USDA provide electronic and information technology of comparable accessibility to persons with disabilities as it does for persons without disabilities.

The Team assists agencies and advises the OCIO in determining the proper course of action where an agency proposal falls outside of the bounds of Section 508.

The goal of the Team is to advise the OCIO and to ensure systematic accountability for the accomplishment of Section 508 requirements in the Department. The work of the Team will be supportive of the Secretary's goal to make USDA a model employer.

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II. SCOPE

The Team supports the implementation of Section 508 as it relates to the acquisition of electronic and information technology within the Department.

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III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Team shall consist of representatives with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and experience to be comprised of the following:

USDA Section 508 Coordinator /Information Officer Representative- one vote

TARGET Center Director - one vote

Procurement Representative - one vote

Civil Rights Representative - one vote

Human Resources Representative - one vote

General Counsel Representative - advisory role only

Inspector General Representative - advisory role only

USDA Web Master - one vote

SACED Representative - one vote

*Mission Area Representatives - one vote

Staff Office Representatives - one vote

*One vote per mission area. In some instances, an Undersecretary may authorize the appointment of two representatives yet only one vote is permitted per mission area representative.

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IV. TEAM DUTIES

• Develop a plan to identify needs for accessible systems and adaptive technology and identify IT deficiencies that impact performance of persons with disabilities in current and prospective IT systems;
• Advise agencies of the requirement to integrate Section 508 into their IT capital plans, budget plans, and strategic plans;
• Participate in monitoring, measurement, and disclosure activities including usability testing and priority setting;
• Coordinate response to Department of Justice Section 508 surveys;
• Develop a recommended list of sources of education and training for key personnel within the department related to Section 508 implementation;
• Recommend a policy on implementation and enforcement;
Identify a complaints process;
• Provide opportunity for suggestions and feedback from USDA internal and external customers, including persons with disabilities; and
• Develop web page for information sharing on the OCIO Intranet.

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V. INDIVIDUAL MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

MISSION AREA RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and report on the mission area efforts to comply with Section 508, and
• Work closely with all agency legal, technical and specialty experts in the mission area to ensure implementation of Section 508.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise the Secretary and USDA on matters pertaining to the implementation of Section 508;
• Work closely with the agencies to ensure that electronic and information technology is accessible to persons with disabilities;
• Update the SACED on USDA's Section 508 accomplishments;
• Develop a critical factor specifically related to accessibility in the capital planning and investment control process;
• Work with Team Members to develop accountability checklists to assist USDA mission areas and agencies with Section;
• Report to the Secretary on USDA Section 508 compliance biennially; and
• Develop the final agenda for Team meetings.

TARGET CENTER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Issue information on providing USDA program publications and information documents in alternative format, including braille, large print, audio and video;
• Provide work site assessments, technology support, information updates and training assistance on assistive technologies available as reasonable accommodations for USDA employees and visitors;
• Provide information on integrating adaptive equipment and software with new and existing technology, including best practices; and
• Provide and update information on standards and testing of web pages for web accessibility.

OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (OPPM) RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide interpretation of and advice on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Federal Property Management Regulation;
• Issue any necessary USDA-wide procurement and property guidance as necessary for USDA specific needs; and
• Review and advise USDA activities that operate with their own acquisition systems independent of the FAR.

OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide guidance to agencies to assure compliance with Section 508 requirements;
• Conduct employment and program compliance reviews to ensure that an agency's program activities and services comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and
• Provide either independently or in conjunction with Departmental procurement and information technology staffs training on the requirements to assure compliance with Section 508.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise agencies of their responsibility to ensure that persons with disabilities are properly accommodated, or have access to the necessary equipment, supplies, and training;
• Provide up-to-date employment information that is accessible to persons with disabilities; and
• Provide alternate means to access its employment web pages.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide all legal advice and services necessary for USDA implementation of Section 508.

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide guidance regarding all publications relating to Section 508 issues, and serve as liaison to Agency and Office webmasters.

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determine the need and conduct review of Section 508 compliance as resources allow.

SECRETARY'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES (SACED) RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Team to clarify policies and procedures for reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, except when such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

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VI. PROCEDURES

• The Team will meet monthly or as necessary to fulfill the Section 508 management responsibilities herein.
• The Team shall select a rotating head of the Team from among members to facilitate the meetings. The head shall serve for a twelve- month term. The same member's representative may not serve as the head for more than one term every four years.
• The Team shall select a recording secretary to take notes and distribute appropriately. The recording secretary shall serve for a twelve-month term. The same member's representative may not serve as the recording secretary for more than one term every four years.
• The Team shall establish working groups as necessary to facilitate the implementation of Section 508 in USDA.

VII. CHARTER RENEWAL

With the exception of Part V, this charter may be amended on the recommendation of the Coordinator and approval of the majority of the Team. Part V amendments must be initiated by affected representative. This charter will expire if not renewed every four years.

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http://www.ocio.usda.gov/508/chart508.html