508 News Release

November 17 2009

Assistive Technology Day

The GSA, Center for Information Technology Accommodation, CITA will host presentations of products from Research In Motion, RIM on Tuesday, November 17th in the GSA Central Office conference room 1238. RIM will introduce its Accessibility Program, describe how it has institutionalized accessibility throughout its organization, and demonstrate the various accessibility solutions available for BlackBerry smartphones. They will demonstrate accessibility solutions available for blind, visually impaired, colorblind, hard of hearing, deaf, cognitive and/or mobility impairments. This event is free but you must register, there will be sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, captioning and audio conferencing for those that can not come to Washington, DC for this event. Sessions are one hour long, you can pick the session you want to attend, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 eastern time. This is a must attend event for all who have BlackBerry's, want an accessible BlackBerry and support those that use BlackBerry's.

October 5, 2009

President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Washington, D.C. – President Obama today announced that his Administration is taking several steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement comes during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

New Agency Shared Practices

NOW AVAILABLE!! BAW TRAINING.

View the hearing webcast from May 1, 2008 on Draft Legislation Enhancing Access to Broadband Technology and Services for Persons with Disabilities. Also, view the Draft Act.

VENDORS! The new BuyAccessible Product and Services Directory is available! You can:

• Create your account
• register your electronic and information technology products and services at https://app.buyaccessible.gov/DataCenter/.
  

Vendors should also refer to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). The purpose of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template is to assist Federal contracting officials and other buyers in making preliminary assessments regarding the availability of commercial "Electronic and Information Technology" products and services with features that support accessibility.

GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT OFFICIALS should refer to the BuyAccessible Wizard (BAW) to:

• conduct your market research on accessible electronic and information technology products and services
• meet your 508 requirements to acquire accessible products and services.