"The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities."
"The Postal Service will comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, not only because it is the law, but because it’s the right thing to do!"
BACKGROUND
Since its beginning, the Postal Service has operated with the mission of binding together a diverse and far-reaching nation by efficiently, reliably and promptly delivering the correspondence and communications of its people. Today, Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) plays a big role in fostering the goals and mission of the Postal Service. By complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Postal Service furthers its philosophy of binding the nation together for all people, including persons with disabilities.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a law that requires federal agencies, including the Postal Service, to procure EIT that is accessible to persons with disabilities. The law requires that EIT equipment and systems procured on or after June 21, 2001, comply with standards written by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). These standards were published December 21, 2000 in the Federal Register. EIT includes technology such as web pages, software applications, computers, self-contained kiosks, copiers, multimedia, and telecommunications systems. These standards are intended to make these technology products more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The Postal Service has a history of eliminating barriers, improving access and making it easier for our customers and employees to conduct and do Postal business. This is true whether it’s a physical barrier to a postal facility or an electronic barrier to an EIT system.
WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED
The Postal Service has been implementing Section 508 compliance activities since well before the June 21st, 2001 enforcement date. Support has come from the highest levels of the organization. The goal of the Postal Service 508 program has been to integrate Section 508 so it becomes just a regular part of the way we do business. Some of the key activities we've accomplished are:
THE FUTURE
The USPS will continue providing what our customers and employees with disabilities need to be able to have prompt, reliable, and efficient access to the Postal Service's electronic and information technology. The Postal Service is making Section 508 just a normal way of conducting business.
QUESTIONS
Please feel free to review these guidelines and circulate them as widely as possible. Comments or questions can be directed to section508@usps.gov. We welcome constructive criticism and suggested corrections.