Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Section 508

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, signed into law on August 7, 1998, contains amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The changes to Section 508 in the 1998 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act were designed to strengthen current law to ensure that people with disabilities will have equity in the use of electronic and information technology (E&IT). When Federal departments or agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they shall ensure that the electronic and information technology allows Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency. Section 508 also requires that "individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities." The legislation exempts only national security systems from coverage of Section 508.

The 1998 Amendments to Section 508 directed the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) to develop and publish standards by February 7, 2000, setting forth a definition of electronic and information technology and the technical and functional performance criteria necessary for achieving accessibility to such technology and information by individuals with disabilities. The definition of electronic and information technology is required to be consistent with the definition of information technology contained in the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. The legislation also instructed the Access Board and GSA to provide technical assistance to Federal agencies and consumers once the standards are implemented on August 7, 2000.

In developing its standards, the Access Board was directed to consult with various Federal agencies, the electronic and information technology industry, and appropriate public or nonprofit agencies or organizations, including organizations representing individuals with disabilities. In response to these requirements, the Access Board established the Electronic and Information Technology Access Advisory Committee (EITAAC), comprised of 26 organizations representing the various sectors identified in the legislation. EITAAC has provided a report of its recommendations for accessibility standards for electronic and information technology.