---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001 17:41:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kelly Ford <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: SIIA Seeks Amendment to "section 508" Regulations
From the web page:
http://www.siia.net/sharedcontent/press/2001/5-24-01.html
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2001
Contact: Rachel Haynes, SIIA PR (202) 452-1600 ext. 365
SIIA Seeks Amendment to 'Section 508' Accessibility Regulations
Lack of Flexibility, Unresolved Policy Issues will Harm Software and
Technology Companies
(Washington, D.C.) The Software & Information Industry Association
(SIIA) today outlined substantial concerns with "Section 508"
regulations regarding accessibility of electronic and information
technology in a letter to the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and
the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council. Section 508 will require
all federal agencies to develop, procure and maintain electronic and
information technology that ensures accessibility to persons with
disabilities.
The letter, sent by SIIA President Ken Wasch, outlined industry
support for the goal of Section 508 that mandates standards of
accessibility for purchases by the federal government. Wasch, however,
contends that "inadequate flexibility mechanisms, lingering unresolved
policy issues and a brief implementation schedule could substantially
harm software and information companies who serve the federal market."
"Dozens of our member companies will be adversely affected if Section
508 regulations are implemented as currently drafted," said Mark
Bohannon, SIIA general counsel and vice president of government
affairs. "Fast approaching compliance deadlines, ambiguous enforcement
mechanisms and policy questions regarding competition and
interoperability all contribute to our concerns."
"Perhaps most troubling, however, is how Section 508 leaves government
agencies with inadequate flexibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars
and limited agency budgets are spent to procure the highest quality
products that best meet agencies' needs in a timely manner," continued
Bohannon. "These regulations should be modified to explicitly give
agencies discretion to balance procuring accessible products against
procuring a product that best serves the identified need."
Section 508 regulations are scheduled to become effective on June 25,
after the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council issued a final rule amending the
Federal Acquisition Regulations on April 25.
An SIIA analysis of Section 508 regulations is accessible at
http://www.siia.net/sharedcontent/govt/issues/ecommerce/508Analysis1-1
0-01.pdf.
A copy of the SIIA letter is accessible at
http://www.siia.net/sharedcontent/govt/issues/ecommerce/5-24-01.html.
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the
principal trade association of the software code and information
content industries. SIIA represents more than 1,000 leading high-tech
companies that develop and market software and electronic content for
business, education, consumers and the Internet. For further
information, visit http://www.siia.net.
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