News & Events
Labor Department Awards Grant to Establish Accessible Technology Action Center
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $950,000 grant to the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America to establish the Office of Disability Employment Policy's Accessible Technology Action Center. The Center will be a national resource that will facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention and career advancement of people with disabilities.
Department of Defense's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) Releases New Mobile App
CAP has released a free app for Apple Devices, now available in the iTunes App Store. The new app lets users browse assistive technology, news, scan the calendar of events and stay connected to the disability community. An Android version is coming soon. CAP works to make the Federal Government a model employer of people with disabilities by providing job accommodations and equal access to electronic and information technology.
Justice Department Releases Report on Federal Agencies' Use of Accessible Electronic & Information Technology
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the release of its report Section 508 Report to the President and Congress: Accessibility of Federal Electronic and Information Technology. The report is based on a survey of federal agencies on the accessibility of their electronic and information technology and the procedures used to implement the requirements of Section 508. Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (telephones, websites, computers, software) accessible to people with disabilities, unless certain exceptions apply.
Section 508 Best Practices Webinar on Basics of Electronic Document Accessibility - October 10
The Accessibility Committee of the Chief Information Officers Council is sponsoring a webinar on October 10, 2012 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The new interagency Accessible Electronic Document Community of Practice will address how to produce accessible electronic documents and will provide resources for agencies to use to make sure electronic documents are accessible. Register online.
2012 State of the States in Cognitive Disability & Technology Conference - November 2
The University of Colorado's Coleman Institute will host its 12th annual conference on cognitive disability and technology on November 2, 2012. The agenda will cover an annual review of the economy, current federal disability policy and law, and the results on quality of life for people with cognitive disabilities. Register online.
FCC Video Description Rules for Television Programs Take Effect
As of July 1, 2012, broadcast affiliates ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC located in top markets are required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide voice narrated video descriptions for TV programming’s important visual elements. This accessibility feature lets people who are blind or visually impaired follow a TV program’s content when there are non-speaking segments. This link opens a PDF document and it is also available in text format.
USDA's TARGET Discovery Series
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) TARGET Discovery Series offers free informative and engaging online educational programs on a variety of topics including built-in assistive technology and accessibility features in popular operating systems; Section 508 compliant eLearning; supporting the employment of people with disabilities; and creating accessible PDFs. For information about other trainings visit the Discovery Series Archives.