Management Training on
Technology Accessibility and
Section 508 Compliance
All resources are available here:
http://ets.fhda.edu/508
Learning Objectives
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To understand the district Section 508 policy
To understand how Section 508 impacts the
technology acquisition process
To provide you with tools and resources to
help you comply with Section 508
Why is this process necessary?
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Ensures technology is accessible to all
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Federal & State law compliance
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Motivates vendors
What is Section 508?
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Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 known as the Section 508 Standards
for Electronic and Information Technology
(EIT)
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Went into effect in June 2001.
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Adopted into California law last year
Government Code Section 11135
What does Section 508 do?
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
already requires accessibility for the
institution as a whole
Section 508 clarifies how to ensure
technology accessibility
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Provides standards for accessible EIT
Requires new acquisitions meet those
standards
Why is it important to the district?
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In order to function, students and
employees must use technology
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Achieving legal compliance
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Reduces liability in case of lawsuit
Minimizes risk of complaints
Brief history of what has been
done to this point
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ETAC ad hoc committee
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Policy formation
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Purchasing
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Web Standards
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Consulting on individual basis
Roles and Responsibilities of
Requestors (manager/faculty/staff)
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Assist/coordinate with the manager to draft
specifications and minimum requirements
Identify which Section 508 provisions apply
Assist/coordinate with the manager to perform and
document market research
Document exceptions that may apply
Award the contract or order after complying with
policy steps
District Section 508 Policy
Document has 3 sections
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Summary of legal aspects
Detailed explanation of policy
EIT Determination form
508 Purchase
Flowchart
What is Electronic & Information
Technology (EIT)?
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Nearly everything that runs on electricity in
your office and learning environment
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Includes information technology and any
equipment or interconnected system or
subsystem of equipment, that is used in the
creation, conversion, or duplication of data or
information.
What are the Section 508
Technical Standards that Apply?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Software Applications and Operating Systems
Web-based Internet Information and Applications
Video and Multimedia Products
Telecommunications Products
Self-contained, Closed Products
Desktop and Portable Computers
Software Applications and Operating
Systems
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Windows
Mac OS
Linux
MeetingMaker
MS Office
Photo Shop
Instructional Software
Lab Packs w/ Texts
Web-based Internet Information and
Applications
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TouchNet
Online Courses
Campus Sites
Faculty Sites
Adobe PDF’s
Streaming
Audio/Video
Library Catalog
Video and Multimedia Products
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Television
VCR
DVD Player
Video Camera
CD & DVD Media
Telecommunications Products
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Telephones
Fax Machines
Self-contained, Closed Products
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Copiers
Stamp Machines
Scales
Calculators
Printers
Scanners
Desktop and Portable Computers
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Computers
Hand-held computers
Functional Performance Criteria
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This section provides 6 functional performance
criteria for overall product evaluation and for
technologies or components for which there is
no specific requirement under other sections.
For example, At least one mode of operation
and information retrieval that does not require
user vision shall be provided, or support for
assistive technology used by people who are
blind or visually impaired shall be provided.
An explanation of the technology
acquisition process
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Identify your needs and general product
specifications, then perform market
research to determine availability of
compliant products
Many steps are part of our existing
process
508 Purchase
Flowchart
What is Market Research?
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Collecting and analyzing information about
capabilities within the marketplace to
satisfy EIT needs
Method for identifying products that meet
Section 508 requirements
Questions for Market Research
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How does the product/vendor meet:
Business requirements
 Applicable Section 508 standards
 Cost of product
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Questions for Market Research
(continued)
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What if you ask the questions and discover
your 508 requirements cannot be met?
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Equivalent Facilitation
Alternative means of providing access where
deficient
Informal Market Survey
Techniques
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Phone calls to experts
Internet searches
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Buy Accessible on www.section508.gov
Review of similar procurements by other
departments
Catalogs, product literature
Is your procurement exempt?
Micro-Purchase (until October, 2004)
 Back Room/Office
 Fundamental Alteration
 Undue Burden?
NOTE: Even if exception applies you must
still provide alternative access.
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Commercial Non-Availability
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If no item meets customer requirements
and technical standards, can purchase
non-accessible EIT.
Must document market research and
findings in contract file to justify decision.
Buy Accessible database on
Section 508 web site
What is a VPAT?
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Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
Information on how a product or service conforms to
the Section 508 Access Board standards.
Completed by the vendor.
Optionally, posted on their vendor site and linked to
Buy Accessible.
Vendors are not required to complete a VPAT
Now Required for our District bid process.
http://www.itic.org/reports/508/Sec508.html
Using the VPAT
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Enables requestors to compare products.
Conducting Buy Accessible searches
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Identify and review sections of the VPAT that apply.
Outside of Buy Accessible, a VPAT can be:
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Requested as part of market research, procurement,
RFP, etc.
Requested in a procurement (becomes mandatory).
Using the VPAT
(continued)
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Best practices and a VPAT template:
www.itic.org
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Good and Bad VPAT Examples
Benefits of VPATs
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Uniform tool for identifying features
meeting Section 508 standards.
Supports making preliminary assessments
regarding availability of commercial EIT
products and services.
Documenting Results
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You must document the results of your market
research (Examples at www.section508.gov)
Include in the market research documentation
copies of any VPATs used
Documentation becomes part of purchase
request file
Purchasing will contact requestor and put
requisition on hold if no EITD form received
Small Group Exercise
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Use examples and walk through steps
Determine a market research approach
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Informal techniques to use
Formal techniques to use
Questions to be asked
What categories of the VPAT to search
Other issues or considerations
District Technical Expertise
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Assistive Technology Centers
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De Anza – Wayne Chenoweth
chenowethwayne@deanze.edu 408-864-5816
Foothill – Steve Sum
sumsteven@foothill.edu 650-949-7673
Users of Assistive Technology
Disability Program Managers
ETAC 508 Committee
http://ets.fhda.edu/508