Government-wide Section 508 Assessment

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Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Management</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Manage a 508 Program - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Manage a 508 Program</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/roles/">Accessibility Roles</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/improve-digital-dashboard-scores/">Improve Digital Dashboard Accessibility Scores</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/publish-accessible-content/">Publish Accessible Content</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/teach-staff-about-accessibility/">Teach Staff about Accessibility</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/track-report-conformance/">Track and Report Conformance</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/program-manager-responsibilities/">IT Accessibility/508 Program Manager Responsibilities</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/program-roadmap/">Revised 508 Standards Roadmap</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/deia-guidance/">DEIA Accessibility Guidance</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/benefits-of-accessibility/">Practical Reasons for Digital Accessibility</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/how-508-standards-benefit-pwd/">How 508 Standards Benefit Persons With Disabilities</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Accessibility for IT Program & Project Manager - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Accessibility for IT Program & Project Manager</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/program-management/">IT Accessibility Program Management</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/identify-user-needs/">Identify User Needs</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/support-accessible-content/">Support Development of Accessible Content</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/understand-scope-technical-requirements/">Understand Content Scope and Technical Requirements</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/join-the-508-community/">Join the 508 community</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/tools/program-manager-listing/">Find your Program Manager</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/pmr/">Semi-Annual Program Maturity Report (PMR)</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="header-menu-text" aria-label="Playbooks - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Playbooks</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/">Overview</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/accessibility-playbook-quick-guide/">Quick Guide to IT Accessibility for Program Managers</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Technology Accessibility Playbook - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Technology Accessibility Playbook</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/">Introduction</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play01/">Play 1: Establish a Section 508 Program Manager</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play02/">Play 2: Assess your Section 508 Program Maturity</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play03/">Play 3: Develop a Section 508 Accessibility Roadmap</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play04/">Play 4: Establish a Section 508 Policy</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play05/">Play 5: Develop a Section 508 Program Team</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play06/">Play 6: Collaborate with the Federal Accessibility Community</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play07/">Play 7: Integrate Accessibility Needs into Requirements and Design Processes</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play08/">Play 8: Integrate Accessibility Needs into Market Research and Acquisition Processes</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play09/">Play 9: Integrate Accessibility Needs into Development Processes</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play10/">Play 10: Conduct Section 508 Testing</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play11/">Play 11: Track and Resolve Accessibility Issues</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/technology-accessibility-playbook-intro/play12/">Play 12: Educate the Workforce</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/playbooks/exec-guide-accessibility/">Executive Guide to Federal IT Accessibility</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="header-menu-text" aria-label="Law and Policy - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Law and Policy</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/">IT Accessibility Laws and Policies Overview</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/section-508-law/">Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/quick-reference-guide/">Laws and Policy Quick Reference Guide</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Website Accessibility Statements - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Website Accessibility Statements</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/website-accessibility-statement/">Developing a Website Accessibility Statement</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/implementing-public-feedback-mechanism/">Implementing a Public Feedback Mechanism</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/Section-508-complaints-best-practices/">Best Practices For Establishing And Maintaining a Formal Section 508 Complaint Process</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/update-agency-policies/">Updating Agency Policy</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/state/">State-level Accessibility Law and Policy</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/laws-and-policies/international/">International IT Accessibility Laws and Policies</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="header-menu-text" aria-label="IT Accessibility Policy Framework - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">IT Accessibility Policy Framework</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/policy-framework/introduction/">Introduction</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="How to Use the Framework - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">How to Use the Framework</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/policy-framework/how-to-use-the-framework/how-to-identify-policies/">How to Identify Policies</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/policy-framework/how-to-use-the-framework/evaluation-criteria/">Evaluation Criteria</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/policy-framework/how-to-use-the-framework/guiding-question/">Guiding Questions</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/policy-framework/how-to-use-the-framework/ict-accessibility-policy-matrix/">ICT Accessibility Policy Matrix</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Guidance by Policy Type - 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Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Annual Section 508 Assessment</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item active usa-current "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/">Instructions</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item list "> <a href="javascript:void(0);" aria-label="Assessment Criteria - Submenu" aria-expanded="false">Assessment Criteria</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist items"><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-01/">General Information</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-02/">IT Accessibility Program Office</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-03/">Policies, Procedures, and Practices</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-04/">Communications</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-05/">Content Creation</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-06/">Human Capital, Culture, and Leadership</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-07/">Technology Lifecycle Activities</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-08/">Testing and Validation</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-09/">Acquisition and Procurement</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-10/">Training</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-11/">Conformance Metrics</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/faq/">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/support/">Support</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/definition-of-terms/">Definition of Terms</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item "> <a href="/manage/section-508-assessment/annual-reports/">Annual Reports</a> </li></ul> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/manage/agency-508-reporting-requirements/" >Agency Section 508 Reporting Requirements</a> </li><li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/manage/accessibility-faq/" >ICT Accessibility Frequently Asked Questions</a> </li></ul> </nav> </aside> <main class="usa-layout-docs__main desktop:grid-col-9" id="content-section"> <div class="usa-graphic-list"> <h2 id="assessment-requirement">Assessment Requirement</h2> <p>Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, codified at 29 U.S.C. § 794d, requires Federal departments and agencies and the United States Postal Service (hereinafter, “agencies”) to develop, procure, maintain, or use information and communications technology (ICT) that is accessible to people with disabilities and to give Federal employees contractors and members of the public with disabilities access to information comparable to the access available to those without disabilities.<sup><strong><a href="#fn1" id="fr1">1</a></strong></sup></p> <p>Agencies subject to Section 508 are required to report on the implementation of Section 508 to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) through the Annual Section 508 Assessment.<sup><strong><a href="#fn2" id="fr2">2</a></strong></sup></p> <p>Agency components, such as bureaus, sub-agencies, or major organizational divisions as determined by the agency, must be reported independently of their “parent” agency. “Parent” agencies must limit reporting to that of the parent agency and not include reporting from component agencies. Parent agencies should coordinate reporting entities to enhance the accuracy and consistency of responses.</p> <p>This Assessment uses the term “reporting entity,” which consists of:</p> <ul> <li> <p>“Agencies,” which broadly applies organizational components such as bureau, department level, or headquarters.</p> </li> <li> <p>“Components,” which broadly applies to an organizational unit typically one level below a department or large agency enterprise level.</p> </li> </ul> <p>Reporting entity responses should be completed and submitted by the Section 508 program manager or designee. Reporting entity responses are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2024.</p> <p>If a reporting entity is unable to provide the requested information for a given criteria because it is currently unavailable, the reporting entity should select “Unknown” or “N/A.” Reporting entities will have opportunities to collect any unavailable information during future reporting periods of the annual Assessment.</p> <p>OMB or GSA may follow up with reporting entities to obtain additional information or documentation that supports answers to the criteria in this Assessment.</p> <p>Reporting entities should use this Assessment to identify barriers that prevent employees and members of the public with disabilities equitable digital access, especially as more government interactions move online. OMB may use this information to inform performance management discussions with agencies or assess and develop guidance to advance equitable digital access.</p> <h2 id="instructions-for-reporting">Instructions for Reporting</h2> <p>Reporting entity <a href="https://www.section508.gov/tools/program-manager-listing/">Section 508 program managers</a> should serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for the Section 508 Assessment. If there is no Section 508 program manager currently assigned, the reporting entity should designate an individual to be the POC.</p> <p>Chief Information Officers (CIO) or equivalent of reporting entities will receive information from OMB including instructions the POC must use to register with GSA in order to receive access to the online Assessment reporting tool.</p> <p>Reporting entities will have until <strong>11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2024</strong>, to complete the Section 508 Assessment. All responses to the Section 508 Assessment must be submitted electronically via the online reporting tool and the submitting reporting entity will receive a copy of the submission for its records. <strong>Reporting entities are encouraged to begin collecting relevant data as soon as the Assessment criteria are released.</strong> </p> <p>Once reporting closes, no further information can be entered into the reporting tool. As part of the Assessment report, GSA will post a public data file that contains all reporting entity responses.</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong> If the reporting entity needs to change or update the contact information associated with the account, please submit those changes to <a href="mailto:Section.508@gsa.gov">Section.508@gsa.gov</a>. Change request emails should contain the new individual’s name, title, phone number, and email address, and must be submitted by the Section 508 program manager or the highest-ranking individual in the reporting entity that is responsible for implementation of Section 508.</p> <h2 id="how-to-submit-your-assessment-report">How to Submit Your Assessment Report</h2> <p>GSA will email reporting instructions to reporting entities’ POC with a link to the online reporting tool. Reporting entities will be able to enter information electronically between June 1, 2024, and July 31, 2024. The reporting tool will not accept submissions after 11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2024.</p> <h2 id="key-dates">Key Dates</h2> <table class="usa-table usa-table--borderless"> <caption> Table listing of five key dates related to the reporting required under Section 752 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. </caption> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col">Activity</th> <th scope="col">Date/Time Frame</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <th scope="row">Instructions and Assessment Criteria released</th> <td>April 8, 2024</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Designation of Assessment POC</th> <td>April 8, 2024 - July 1, 2024</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Reporting submission window</th> <td>June 1, 2024 - July 31, 2024</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Submission Deadline</th> <td>July 31, 2024</td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row">Assessment Report and Recommendations Submitted to Congress</th> <td>No later than December 29, 2024</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="contact-information">Contact Information</h2> <p>For questions about the Government-wide Section 508 Assessment, please email the GSA Government-wide IT Accessibility Program at <a href="mailto:Section.508@gsa.gov">Section.508@gsa.gov</a>.</p> <hr /> <div> <h2 style="position: absolute; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); visibility: hidden; opacity: 0;" id="footnote-label">Footnotes</h2> <ol> <li id="fn1"><a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title29/html/USCODE-2011-title29-chap16-subchapV-sec794d.htm">29 U.S.C § 794 (d);</a> - National security systems, as defined in <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title40/html/USCODE-2011-title40-subtitleIII-chap111-sec11103.htm">Section 11103(a) of Title 40</a>, are exempt. <a href="#fr1" aria-label="Back to content"> ↩ </a></li> <li id="fn2">See <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title29/html/USCODE-2022-title29-chap16-subchapV-sec794d-1.htm">29 USC 794d-1</a> Pub. L. No: 117-328 (2023), and OMB Memorandum, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/ofcio/m-24-08-strengthening-digital-accessibility-and-the-management-of-section-508-of-the-rehabilitation-act/">"M-24-08 Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act"</a> from December 21, 2023. <a href="#fr2" aria-label="Back to content"> ↩ </a></li> </ol> </div> <div id="prev-next-section" style="justify-content: space-around;"> <a class="prev-page" title="Go to Assessment Criteria" href="/manage/section-508-assessment/criteria-01/"> Criteria > </a> </div> <p><strong>Reviewed/Updated:</strong> May 2024</p> </div> </main> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="usa-footer__primary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap padding-bottom-4"> <div class="desktop:grid-col-4"> <p class="text-bold">Government-wide Initiatives</p> <ul class="add-list-reset line-height-sans-6"> <li> <a 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