Section 508

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT), also referred to as information and communication technology (ICT), accessible to people with disabilities. The law (29 U.S.C. § 794 (d)) applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use ICT. Under Section 508, agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to access available to others. The United States Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility standards for ICT to incorporate into regulations that govern Federal procurement practices.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is committed to making its ICT accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.  Section 508 is an important component of our information management and technology (IMT) planning and operations. We adhere to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the U.S. Access Board Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines, and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), which require Federal agencies to make their ICT accessible to people with disabilities. We maintain a Section 508 policy, 375 DM 8, to align DOI policy and guidance with the Section 508 law, U.S. Access Board accessibility standards, and related Federal laws and regulations. Our goal is to foster a culture of accessibility where knowledge, tools, and resources are synchronized across DOI and its Bureaus/Offices to support the creation, acquisition, maintenance, and use of accessible ICT products and services across the DOI enterprise. ICT accessibility is a legal requirement, which also improves usability and provides a better customer experience. Our Section 508 program supports DOI's mission by ensuring transparency, accountability, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making. We are committed to ensuring the delivery of accessible ICT products and services to Federal employees and the public through training, outreach, collaboration, and participation in program and system development, and related activities in partnership with DOI Bureaus/Offices.

If an individual with a disability believes that a bureau or office has failed to procure ICT conforming to Section 508, that individual has the right to file a complaint with the DOI Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

The ODICR shall apply the complaint procedures outlined in 43 CFR Part 17, Subpart E, which are established to implement Section 504 for resolving allegations of discrimination in a Federally conducted program or activity.  Complaints must be submitted in writing to DOI’s ODICR at the following address:

U.S. Department of the Interior
Attn: Director, Office of Civil Rights
1849 C Street, N.W.
MS-4359
Washington, D.C. 20240

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