Pursuing Digital Accessibility: Overcoming the Impact of Section 752 on Federal Agencies
Section 752 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the pursuit of digital accessibility for federal agencies. The law requires federal agencies to meticulously report on information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility, and remains an unforeseen emergency for many. All government agencies must submit their responses to a 105-item questionnaire focused on ICT accessibility by 11 August 2023. And many federal agencies have fallen for this…
Article 752 The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the pursuit of digital accessibility for federal agencies. The law requires federal agencies to meticulously report on information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility, and remains an unforeseen emergency for many. All institutions are required to submit a response. Questionnaire with 105 items And many federal agencies are caught off guard by the law’s complexity and looming deadlines, and are in a race against time.
This change isn’t just a directive, it’s a wake-up call to address an important issue that has been neglected for too long.
how we got here
In an era where digital integration is the cornerstone of government services, digital accessibility in the federal government sector has emerged as a top concern. The evolution of this issue and its growing importance reflect the progress of society and its commitment to equality and inclusion.
The Biden administration is stepping up efforts to achieve digital accessibility. Executive Order of 2021 About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA). The order is a concrete commitment to take accessibility seriously, recognizes the urgency of action and calls on government agencies to meet their obligations.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act further strengthens the focus on digital accessibility by enforcing existing digital accessibility compliance requirements outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Instead of creating additional regulations, it presents new claims to provisions that have been largely unfulfilled for many years. dedication.
Despite the existence of these regulations, recent findings highlight the severe lack of access to many government services for people with disabilities. This grim reality stems from a consistent lack of enforcement and oversight of accessibility efforts, and this shortcoming remains unchecked.according to Recent Report on Section 508a significant portion of the federal government sector remains inaccessible, highlighting the urgent need for change.
However, the complexity and comprehensive nature of the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s reporting requirements, combined with their lack of enforcement for many years, has led many government agencies to scramble to meet this latest requirement. The question is complex and requires detailed answers, a challenge that reflects the complexity of the issue of digital accessibility itself.
Gap between law and enforcement
What is abundantly clear from the recent Section 508 report is that while there are laws for digital accessibility, their implementation and enforcement in practice are poor. This alarming situation highlights the need for change.
The Section 508 report reveals a disturbing disconnect between established law and practice, revealing serious shortcomings in digital accessibility. Despite the existence of legal requirements, for some large federal agencies, as little as half or less of the websites evaluated may comply with Section 508 accessibility provisions. The report further exacerbates the problem for employees, highlighting the failure of various agencies to test intranet pages.
Federal agencies now recognize their responsibility not only to address digital accessibility, but to report on it meticulously. This change is an abrupt and difficult, but essential step towards the goal of bridging the gap between accessibility policy and practice. Agencies may initially struggle to meet the demands of the law, but the impact on both reputation and operations of disregarding the law makes compliance a non-negotiable obligation.
Demystifying Section 752 reporting requirements
This questionnaire was created to kick off the implementation of Section 752 and provides a broad picture of the reporting requirements. One of the main areas that the bill will address is compliance metrics, which require agencies to report quantifiable data demonstrating their compliance with Section 508 standards. For example, Question 68 asks government agencies to report whether public Internet web pages were evaluated using a combination of both automated and manual testing during the reporting period. But the requirements go beyond public Internet pages, including intranet pages, electronic documents, and videos.
In addition, the survey encourages government agencies to assess the accessibility of various other digital systems and assets. This includes email applications, video conferencing platforms, tax documents, kiosks, custom desktop software, native mobile apps, and even the most popular multifunction printers.
The survey also includes several categories that are equally important. For example, when hiring people with disabilities, areas such as human capital, culture and leadership are important. Question 38 asks to what extent the agency includes ICT accessibility as a core value in his DEIA Strategic Plan. In addition, question 41 focuses on engagement with internal or external disability-related affinity groups. Agencies that fail to create a fair and inclusive work environment are less successful at hiring employees with disabilities.
The questions are not abstract metrics, but rather measurable metrics based on the agency’s compliance efforts. These include aspects such as the number of incidents reported, the time interval between issues, and overall compliance costs. These factors help reveal how well an agency’s compliance team is performing, highlight areas that need improvement, and identify strengths that can be leveraged.
Guidance for completing questionnaires
Given the scope of this comprehensive reporting requirement, agencies should undertake the process of responding to the questionnaire with a strategic approach. This process follows him in four steps.
- Gather staff with direct knowledge of ICT and related procedures/norms. Determine which personnel within the agency will be responsible for different types of technology. For example, her communications team might manage her website and her human resources team might manage her payroll system.
- Conduct interviews to understand how government agencies use various ICTs to manage accessibility, including the involvement of people with disabilities. Be sure to contact us about your process for testing and addressing accessibility issues, as well as accessibility complaints from your users.
- Determine the scope and applicability of each question based on the interview. Note that one data point may be enough to answer your question. For example, “Is there anyone who hasn’t started yet?” [work] Are you on time thanks to assistive technology? ” All you need is her one answer from one of hers.
- Identify and procure necessary tools and support not available in-house. Third-party solutions can help with ongoing monitoring and measurement and accessibility training needs. Having a solution partner helps with ongoing analysis and annual reporting.
Government agencies should be mindful of the importance of strategic consulting to support accountability and procurement processes. If you haven’t started yet, you are already behind due to the complexity of data collection.
Why is Section 752 important?
The impact of Section 752 extends beyond mere compliance. This directive, like any other directive, cannot be ignored by heads of government agencies and there are consequences for non-compliance. In addition, completing this survey provides a record of agency accessibility and sets a baseline to drive improvement over time.
But the human importance of Section 752 should not be overshadowed by the logistics of compliance. As Anil Lewis, executive director of the National Federation of the Blind’s Blindness Initiatives, aptly stated during testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Aging in July 2022,
“The federal government can be an exemplar and catalyst for accessibility in the private and public sectors by continuing to prioritize the employment of people with disabilities while providing the appropriate accessible infrastructure that fosters our success. can.”
This move towards greater digital accessibility is about people, equal access and inclusion. The urgent need for digital accessibility reflects a larger debate about social inclusion and accessibility for all individuals, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act has the power to facilitate this debate.
About the author
Tim Springer is the founder and CEO of level accessa leading digital accessibility solutions provider.
Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. all rights reserved. This his website is not intended for users within the European Economic Area.
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Section 752 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the pursuit of digital accessibility for federal agencies. The law requires federal agencies to meticulously report on information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility, and remains an unforeseen emergency for many. All government agencies must submit their responses to a 105-item questionnaire focused on ICT accessibility by 11 August 2023. And many federal agencies have fallen for this…read moreArticle 752 The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the pursuit of digital accessibility for federal agencies. The law requires federal agencies to meticulously report on information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility, and remains an unforeseen emergency for many. All institutions are required to submit a response. Questionnaire with 105 items And many federal agencies are caught off guard by the law’s complexity and looming deadlines, and are in a race against time.
This change isn’t just a directive, it’s a wake-up call to address an important issue that has been neglected for too long.
how we got here
In an era where digital integration is the cornerstone of government services, digital accessibility in the federal government sector has emerged as a top concern. The evolution of this issue and its growing importance reflect the progress of society and its commitment to equality and inclusion.
The Biden administration is stepping up efforts to achieve digital accessibility. Executive Order of 2021 About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA). The order is a concrete commitment to take accessibility seriously, recognizes the urgency of action and calls on government agencies to meet their obligations.]]>
The Consolidated Appropriations Act further strengthens the focus on digital accessibility by enforcing existing digital accessibility compliance requirements outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Instead of creating additional regulations, it presents new claims to provisions that have been largely unfulfilled for many years. dedication.
Despite the existence of these regulations, recent findings highlight the severe lack of access to many government services for people with disabilities. This grim reality stems from a consistent lack of enforcement and oversight of accessibility efforts, and this shortcoming remains unchecked.according to Recent Report on Section 508a significant portion of the federal government sector remains inaccessible, highlighting the urgent need for change.
However, the complexity and comprehensive nature of the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s reporting requirements, combined with their lack of enforcement for many years, has led many government agencies to scramble to meet this latest requirement. The question is complex and requires detailed answers, a challenge that reflects the complexity of the issue of digital accessibility itself.
Gap between law and enforcement
What is abundantly clear from the recent Section 508 report is that while there are laws for digital accessibility, their implementation and enforcement in practice are poor. This alarming situation highlights the need for change.
The Section 508 report reveals a disturbing disconnect between established law and practice, revealing serious shortcomings in digital accessibility. Despite the existence of legal requirements, for some large federal agencies, as little as half or less of the websites evaluated may comply with Section 508 accessibility provisions. The report further exacerbates the problem for employees, highlighting the failure of various agencies to test intranet pages.
Federal agencies now recognize their responsibility not only to address digital accessibility, but to report on it meticulously. This change is an abrupt and difficult, but essential step towards the goal of bridging the gap between accessibility policy and practice. Agencies may initially struggle to meet the demands of the law, but the impact on both reputation and operations of disregarding the law makes compliance a non-negotiable obligation.
Demystifying Section 752 reporting requirements
This questionnaire was created to kick off the implementation of Section 752 and provides a broad picture of the reporting requirements. One of the main areas that the bill will address is compliance metrics, which require agencies to report quantifiable data demonstrating their compliance with Section 508 standards. For example, Question 68 asks government agencies to report whether public Internet web pages were evaluated using a combination of both automated and manual testing during the reporting period. But the requirements go beyond public Internet pages, including intranet pages, electronic documents, and videos.
In addition, the survey encourages government agencies to assess the accessibility of various other digital systems and assets. This includes email applications, video conferencing platforms, tax documents, kiosks, custom desktop software, native mobile apps, and even the most popular multifunction printers.]]>
The survey also includes several categories that are equally important. For example, when hiring people with disabilities, areas such as human capital, culture and leadership are important. Question 38 asks to what extent the agency includes ICT accessibility as a core value in his DEIA Strategic Plan. In addition, question 41 focuses on engagement with internal or external disability-related affinity groups. Agencies that fail to create a fair and inclusive work environment are less successful at hiring employees with disabilities.
The questions are not abstract metrics, but rather measurable metrics based on the agency’s compliance efforts. These include aspects such as the number of incidents reported, the time interval between issues, and overall compliance costs. These factors help reveal how well an agency’s compliance team is performing, highlight areas that need improvement, and identify strengths that can be leveraged.
Guidance for completing questionnaires
Given the scope of this comprehensive reporting requirement, agencies should undertake the process of responding to the questionnaire with a strategic approach. This process follows him in four steps.
Gather staff with direct knowledge of ICT and related procedures/norms. Determine which personnel within the agency will be responsible for different types of technology. For example, her communications team might manage her website and her human resources team might manage her payroll system.
Conduct interviews to understand how government agencies use various ICTs to manage accessibility, including the involvement of people with disabilities. Be sure to contact us about your process for testing and addressing accessibility issues, as well as accessibility complaints from your users.
Determine the scope and applicability of each question based on the interview. Note that one data point may be enough to answer your question. For example, “Is there anyone who hasn’t started yet?” [work] Are you on time thanks to assistive technology? ” All you need is her one answer from one of hers.
Identify and procure necessary tools and support not available in-house. Third-party solutions can help with ongoing monitoring and measurement and accessibility training needs. Having a solution partner helps with ongoing analysis and annual reporting.
Government agencies should be mindful of the importance of strategic consulting to support accountability and procurement processes. If you haven’t started yet, you are already behind due to the complexity of data collection.
Why is Section 752 important?
The impact of Section 752 extends beyond mere compliance. This directive, like any other directive, cannot be ignored by heads of government agencies and there are consequences for non-compliance. In addition, completing this survey provides a record of agency accessibility and sets a baseline to drive improvement over time.
But the human importance of Section 752 should not be overshadowed by the logistics of compliance. As Anil Lewis, executive director of the National Federation of the Blind’s Blindness Initiatives, aptly stated during testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Aging in July 2022,
“The federal government can be an exemplar and catalyst for accessibility in the private and public sectors by continuing to prioritize the employment of people with disabilities while providing the appropriate accessible infrastructure that fosters our success. can.”]]>
This move towards greater digital accessibility is about people, equal access and inclusion. The urgent need for digital accessibility reflects a larger debate about social inclusion and accessibility for all individuals, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act has the power to facilitate this debate.
About the author
Tim Springer is the founder and CEO of level accessa leading digital accessibility solutions provider.
Copyright © 2023 Federal News Network. all rights reserved. This his website is not intended for users within the European Economic Area.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2023/07/in-pursuit-of-digital-accessibility-navigating-the-impact-of-section-752-on-federal-agencies/ Pursuing Digital Accessibility: Overcoming the Impact of Section 752 on Federal Agencies