[NFBOK-Talk] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh" Regulations

[Jeannie Massay]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 
 

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh"
Regulations

 
Baltimore, Maryland (January 9, 2017): The National Federation of the Blind,
the nation's leading advocate for blind Americans to gain equal access to
information and technology, today applauded the publication of new technical
standards to bring information and communication technology (ICT)  into
compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973, which
requires government agencies and contractors to make their electronic
information and technology accessible to the blind and others with
disabilities.
 
Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"Information and communication Technology has changed a great deal since the
last Section 508 regulations were issued, and has become an even more
integral part of everyday life. Yet blind people, particularly blind federal
employees, continue to struggle with access barriers when interacting with
electronic and information technology used or procured by federal agencies.
For these reasons, we are extremely pleased that the new Section 508
standards have finally been published. Government agencies and contractors
should now understand how to make information and services accessible to the
blind, allowing federal employees to perform their job functions effectively
and other blind Americans to exercise our rights and responsibilities as
citizens."

 

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal
agencies to make their ICT accessible to people with disabilities. Section
508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new
opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage development of
technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all
Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and
information technology.  

 
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About the National Federation of the Blind 
 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.
 
Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>  
Twitter: @rlawyer
 
 <https://nfb.org/> 
 
 
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 
 
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want. 
 



 

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