Federal Programs for Information Technology Accessibility
General Services Administration (GSA) Center for IT Accommodation
Since 1984, the GSA IT Accommodation Division (formerly Center for IT Accommodation CITA) has served as a model demonstration center for advancing accessibleinformation environments, services, and management practices inorder to stimulate the government-wide capacity-building neededto meet statutory requirements. The center provides technicalconsultation, presentations, training, and assistance to federalagencies. The center also serves as a pilot demonstration siteand market need/market utilization conduit between federal agenciesand laboratories, universities and industry.
CITA facilitates a network of Federal employees with disabilitiesand their support personnel that provides early customer feedbackon new service delivery technologies and practices. Coordinatingwith CITA and this network, the Information Technology Accomodation (ITA) Working Group, is now a part of many agency programs.
Current projects underway include:
- working with Government Printing Office, National Instituteof Standards and Technology, and Internal Revenue Service to ensuredevelopment of electronic document services that are accessible
- providing guidance on developing accessible CD-ROMs
- developing a tutorial to assist blind users becoming orientedto Windows
- preparing a CITA handbook as a model for universal accessin electronic document preparation
- evaluating Internet browsers, including Mosaic and Lynx toenhance the access modes supported
Department of Veterans Affairs Microcomputer Training Program for Persons with Disabilities(MTPPD)
(MTPPD) serves persons with disabilities within and outside theDepartment. MTPPD also supports the Department's Nationwide OfficeAutomation for the VA (NOAVA) implementation to ensure employeeswith disabilities receive equal access to NOAVA OA systems andplatforms.
The MTPPD program provides training to employees within the VAand from other federal agencies. The cost-reimbursable trainingaddresses both adaptive technology and common application packages. Other program services include consultations, tours, equipmentdemonstrations, and product evaluations. Document scanning andconverting services, including brailling, are available to agencieson a cost-reimbursable basis.
Susan Boaz
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Mail stop: 0411/200B
Washington, DC 20420
Phone: 202 535-6542
Fax: 202 273-6555
Internet: SUEBOAZ@NETCOM.COM
Compuser: 74404,1446-Susan Boaz
Department of Commerce (DoC) Committee on Resources for ElectronicAccessible Technology to End Users (CREATE)
CREATE is the vehicle responsible for planning and coordinatingDepartment-wide activities in increase awareness of accessibletechnology issues and explore ways to ensure that the informationenvironment is usable by people with disabilities. CREATE hoststhe Accessible Computer Technology Exhibit hosted annually inOctober to increase awareness and effective use of commerciallyavailable products and services that accommodate people with disabilities.
Zoe McDonald
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 6899
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-3201
Fax: 202 482-0411
Internet: ZoeMcDonal@DOC.GOV
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Technology Accessible ResourcesGives Employment Today (TARGET) Center
The Accessible Technology Program has established the TARGET Centerto support USDA employees nationwide and other federal agencies.TARGET provides evaluations, demonstrations, resource information,needs assessments, and training on accessible technology. Thecenter uses open systems concepts to highlight accommodation solutionsavailable on personal computers. TARGET demonstrates how accessibletechnology optimizes productivity and job retention of careeremployees by reducing worker compensation costs and disabilityretirements from end-user computer injuries.
Ophelia Falls
USDA Target Center
AG-Box 7676
Washington, DC 20250
No Internet or E-mail
Department of Defense Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program(CAP)
Detailed information about the CAP program is available on the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs WWW Home Page
Internal Revenue Service Computer/Telecommunications AccessibilityProgram (CAP)
The Computer/Telecommunications Accessibility Program (CAP) wasestablished to ensure the IRS makes electronic information accessibleto people with disabilities. CAP assists the managers and employeesin selection and procurement of appropriate adaptive technology. The CAP office works with acquisitions and procurement personnelto ensure that accessibility is included in information technologyprocurements. CAP has a demonstration center with adaptive equipment.
T. J. Cannady
CAP Team
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 3416 ARFB
Washington, DC 20224
Phone: 202 927-4321 or 202 927-2834
Fax: 202 927-9368No Internet
National Security Agency Center for Computer Assistive Technology(CCAT)
The National Security Agency's CCAT provides demonstration ofassistive technology devices and professional resources for agencyemployees with hearing visual or physical limitations. The goalof the center is to provide assistance and identify alternativesolutions for persons with disabilities.
Mayer Max
Phone: 301 688-6961F
Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an international toll-free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and the employability of people with functional limitations. JAN also provides information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Federal IT Accessibility Programs / January 19, 1996