Many Federal Agencies May Fail to Comply With Law Helping Disabled Access Web 
From: Wall Street Journal - June 20, 2001 - page B2
By: Ted Bridis and Glenn R. Simpson

Observers say few federal agencies are prepared for Friday's deadline to
comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998. This act mandates
that federal government Web pages and computer technology be made accessible
to those with disabilities. This has forced federal agencies to make changes
both large and small - for example, converting Web pages into formats
compatible with software with sight and hearing impairments and replacing
traditional keyboards with devices that individuals with limited mobility can
use. Agencies that are not in compliance with the act by Friday's deadline
can be sued under the terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Officials
at the Justice Department say some 10,000 Web pages are not yet compliant
with the act, risking such suits from both citizens and from their own
employees. Although there is no mandate in the act requiring vendors to
provide software and hardware that is accessible to disabled individuals,
Information Technology Association of America President Harris Miller says
vendors must hurry to provide such equipment; otherwise, say observers, the
government will not be able to purchase their products. The act is expected
to add $1 billion per year to the government's tech spending. In related
news, the National Council on Disability has released a report that is highly
critical of the federal government for not providing more assistance to
disabled users of technology. The report suggests that the Bush
administration form a commission to oversee accessibility issues.

John Goldthwaite adds: Section 508 applies only to webpages developed or
redesigned after June 21, 2001. There is no requirement for retrofitting
existing webpages under 508. Federal webpages have been required to be
accessible to disabled users under Sections 501 and 504 of the Rehab Act all
along but developing to 508 standards would only apply after June 21. A
consumer would have redress under the earlier versions of the Rehabilitation
Act for existing websites.

