Improving accessibility, functional performance, and documentation for electronic and information technology projects and communications products sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Requirements | Compliance | Resource | Support
Requirements
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology (EIT) they provide comparable access and use for individuals with disabilities who are Federal employees and members of the public.
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Compliance
All EIT projects and communications products in electronic form and for Web upload must conform to Section 508 requirements for accessibility. Federal Requiring Officials, Project Officers, and Contracting Officer Technical Representatives are accountable for ensuring compliance on the part of the Government through market research, procurement requirements, and acceptance review of deliverables.
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Resource
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Section 508 Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides a framework and centralized resource that combines scalability, best practices, and technical expertise for accessibility consultation, development, review, testing, remediation, and training. It is designed to ensure conformance to standards and accessibility compliance of EIT and communications products that are AHRQ outputs and deliverables. This includes a virtual testing lab environment and a docket system for product accessibility templates.
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Support
TAC support can help estimate budget costs for tasks and incorporate universal design approaches from concept through product deployment. AHRQ employees, contractors, and other partners may submit requests for support, receive guidance, and procure needed assistance through a service bureau mechanism based on a negotiated menu of available services and charges.
Submit requests to: 508tac@ahrq.gov
Current as of March 2009
Internet Citation:
AHRQ Section 508 Technical Assistance Center Overview. March 2009. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/508tac/tacover.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850