Managing Information Resources for Accessibility

December, 1995

Please note, in 1996 Congress enacted legislation that eliminated the Federal Information Resources Management Regulations (FIRMR). Many provisions have been moved into the Federal Acquisition Regulations. At present it is uncertain where the language will be placed to carry out the mandate of Section 508. Please keep this in mind when reading references to the FIRMR in the following pages.

Managing Information Resources for Accessibility has been prepared by the IT Accommodation Division (CITA), General Services Administration (GSA). This handbook presents guidance to Federal managers and other personnel who are unfamiliar with the policy and practice of information accessibility to accommodate users with disabilities and provide for their effective access to information resources. Issues reviewed represent "lessons learned" by agencies and GSA's IT Accommodation Division.

CITA staff invite comments and contributions to the guide. In addition, CITA can be contacted to arrange demonstrations of accommodation solutions at their technical resource center. CITA is also available to assist managers with technical advice and assistance during acquisition planning.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Preface
• I. Accessibility in the Evolving Information Environment
  • A. Federal Requirements for Accessibility
  • B. How People with Disabilities Access Information Resources
  • C. How Organizations Benefit from Accessible Information Environments
• II. Accessibility as a Sound IRM Practice
  • A. Adopting Accessibility as a Sound IRM Practice
  • B. Establishing Accessibility Support Services
  • C. Acquisition Planning for Accessibility
• III. Overview of Accommodation Solutions
  • A. Introduction
  • B. Accommodating Users with Visual Impairments
  • C. Accommodating Users with Hearing Impairments
  • D. Accommodating Users with Mobility Impairments
  • E. Areas of Unmet Accommodation Needs
  • F. End User Training Considerations and Options
• Appendices
  • A. Sample Solicitation/Contract Provisions/Clauses
  • B. Federal Government Accessibility Programs
  • C. U.S. Government TDD/TTY Information
  • D. Public and Private Sector Resources
  • E. Applicable Public Laws
  • F. Code of Federal Regulations on Reasonable Accommodation