2015 White House Conference on Aging

Accessibility

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Overview

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to making its Web sites accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. In keeping with its mission, HHS complies by implementing the regulations of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the HHS Secretary’s Section 508 Implementation Policy.

For Alternate Access to Web Information

At this time, all HHS information should be accessible via screen readers and other accessibility tools with the exception of some pre-2001 information. This information may not be available in accessible formats.

  • If you need an alternative means of access to any information on the HHS Web site please contact us. Let us know the nature of your accessibility problem, the Web address of the requested information, and your contact information. Only issues related to accessibility or compliance with Section 508 will be responded to through this e-form.
  • If you need to convert PDF documents, Adobe® offers conversion tools at its Accessibly Resource Center.

Synopsis of Section 508 Accessibility Requirements

Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are members of the public or Federal employees have access to and use of electronic and information technology (EIT) that is comparable to that provided to individuals without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. The requirements of Section 508 apply to an agency’s procurement of EIT, as well as the agency’s development, maintenance, or use of EIT.

Although Federal agencies have an explicit statutory obligation to make all electronic and information technology (EIT) that they develop, procure, maintain, or use compliant with Section 508, individuals may only file complaints or lawsuits to enforce Section 508’s requirements with respect to EIT systems procured or deployed on or after June 21, 2001. Learn more at FAR Final Rule. The Section 508 requirements do not apply retroactively to pre-existing EIT. However, as agencies upgrade and change their electronic and information technology, they must comply with the standards. 

The standards are to be applied prospectively and do not require Federal agencies to retrofit existing electronic and information technology. As agencies upgrade and change their electronic and information technology, they must comply with the standards.

It should be noted, however, that Federal agencies have additional responsibilities under Section 501 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These Sections require that agencies provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities and provide program access to members of the public with disabilities and take other actions necessary to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability in their programs.

To Learn More

Last Updated: April 4, 2014

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This website was last updated on February 3, 2016. It is no longer being maintained; however, it remains here as an archive for information on the 2015 White House Conference on Aging forums, blogs, press releases and activities over the period from October 2014–December 2015.

Some material on this website may be superseded, as it was created at a particular time. It may contain references to activities, policies and programs that have no current application. Content in the archive may link to web pages that have moved or no longer exist, or may refer to other documents that are no longer available.

For further information on the use of these archived documents please contact the Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living at aclinfo@acl.hhs.gov. To stay up to date on issues important to older Americans, please visit Aging.gov or the Administration on Aging.