First I must state that I am not a lawyer so this is not a legal opinion, but let me share with the list a briefing paper that I prepared for my university. This letter is based on the best information currently available, but also represents a proactive interpretation of the impact of Section 508. I should also note that this discussion is somewhat rhetorical, because if you are subject to Section 504 of the Rehab Act then it would be in the best interest of your institution to have the kind of standards 508 mandates in place anyway. I am very sure the courts will be involved in the final determination of this, and additionally I would not be surprised if 508 does not get some more revision in the next session of congress. For those of us that have followed OCR rulings and case law particularly on the west coast I think the legal trends are very evident. The other thing that should be noted is that these are Standards not Guidelines, and that is very important from a legal perspective. I do not think anyone would be naive enough to state that it does not apply to state agencies, that is clearly stated in the provisions of the Tech Act, and in the letters of assurance states have had to submit as a part of their receipt of Tech Act funds. What is in question is what a "State Agency" is. What the Department of Ed. will be providing is guidance on compliance, not clarification of its applicability. The one thing that is up in the air is who will be responsible for enforcement, and I would venture to guess it will not be the OCR, but may be directly enforced by the Department of Justice. If you want more information on this I would suggest you consult the following web sites: http://www.resna.org/taproject/policy/initiatives/508.html http://www.section508.gov/docs/508law.html http://www.section508.gov/docs/AT1998.html http://www.section508.gov/requirements.html Ron ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ron Stewart, Director Technology Access Program Information Services Oregon State University 109 Kidder Hall Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Phone: 1.541.737.7307 Fax: 1.541.737.2159 E-mail: [log in to unmask] WWW: http://tap.orst.edu -----Original Message----- From: Schmetzke, Axel [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 3:14 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: A for ACCESSIBILITY Hi Ron, I read with much interest your response to Audrey's posting. I'm a bit puzzled by your statement that Sect. 508 "will most likely apply to .... public and college university libraries in the majority of instances." I thought that this is really up in the air at this point--an impression that got confirmed by what Doug Wakefield stated during the recent EASI interview. According to Doug, the applicability of Sect. 508 to State universities has to be clarified by the Department of Education (recent EASI interview). Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if, ultimately, the courts would also have a say in this matter. Would you share with us your information source? What information do you have that has shaped your opinion on this issue? Thanks, Axel Axel Schmetzke Library University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point -----Original Message----- From: Ron Stewart [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 3:13 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: A for ACCESSIBILITY I would like to make a couple of clarifications to your message. Section 508 applies to "State Agencies" in states that have received funding under the Tech Act, which in a nutshell is all states. The issues come up in what is a state agency, and here is were you may find that most local libraries are exempt, since they are not state agencies. It will most likely apply to state libraries, and public and college university libraries in the majority of instances. They current standards will go into effect on February 21st, 2001, and agencies will have six months from that date to comply with the standards. Ron Stewart -----Original Message----- From: Audrey Gorman [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 9:18 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: A for ACCESSIBILITY Ellen and all, I too believe that Section 508 may be a big help to accessibility advocates in the long run. However, 508 applies (ie, has legal teeth)for federal agencies, not the society at large. There are even some federal agencies that are exempt. It may apply to some state functions when federal money is involved, maybe even state libraries. That's still being teased out by the Department of Justice and others. But experts on 508 whom I've asked say that most libraries probably are not subject to the requirements of the statute. Besides that, the federal accessibility standards still must go through a comment period from Congress. At best, they won't be technically applicable even to federal entities until at least June of 2001. As far as libraries are concerned, we need to get an official legal opinion through appropriate channels. Section 508 may be a sign of things to come (let's support and work toward that bright time), but it's not there yet. If, as we know, libraries are not yet compliant with the ADA and Section 504, which do apply to them, why ask them to wave the flag for or get excited about a statute that doesn't or might not? Let's use Section 508 as an example, a shining bellweather, when we talk about the bigger issue of accessibility. Let's talk about vendor reaction and the companies that are jumping on the bandwagon. Let's not tell libraries that 508 definately applies to them. To do so would be a very negative thing, with potentially devestating backlash and loss of credibility for all of us who advocate for access for all, including people with disabilities. Regards, Audrey >>> [log in to unmask] 01/02/01 15:55 PM >>> Dear Accessibility Advocates-Everyone: A happy, healthy, and thanks t the Access Board and the new Section 508, ACCESSIBLE New Year! Whatever meetings and sessions we attend at ALA Midwinter and elsewhere, the "Digital Divide" program included, let us celebrate the new Section 508 standards by making our slogan, chorus, and refrain that we "sing" proudly in unison: ACCESSIBILITY! - The need for accessibility is universal. Everyone needs access, whether it be to healthcare, the local grocery store, the Post Office, a mode of transportation (especially after a 20-foot snowstorm), information, reading materials, or the Internet, etc. So everyone inherently personally relates, appreciates, and thus supports accessibility - when framed as "accessibility" in positive terms. - Accessibility is POSITIVE language at its finest. As Madison Avenue teaches us so well: Positive Language Sells. Positive Language Wins.* Every Time. [*ex. The title of the successfully passed "Children's Internet Protection Act" - also an accessibility issue] - Accessibility puts us at the top of every [English-language] index, and through positive language, at the top of everyone's agenda. Ellen Perlow Chair, ALA ASCLA Century Scholarship Committee "Celebrating a New Century that Celebrates Diversity" http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html Next Application Submission Deadline: March 1, 2001 ALA 2001 Scholarship Application page: http://www.ala.org/work/awards/scholars.html Have YOU recruited/applied to be a Century Scholarship applicant today? ---------------------------------------------------- Manager of Information Services School of Library and Information Studies Texas Woman's University P.O. Box 425438 Denton, TX 76204-5438 Tel.: 940-898-2622 Fax: 940-898-2611 Web: http://twu.edu/~s_perlow/ E-Mail: [log in to unmask] begin 600 Section 508 and Assistive Technology Act Briefing Sheet.txt M4V5C=&EO;B`U,#@@86YD($%S<VES=&EV92!496-H;F]L;V=Y($%C="!"<FEE M9FEN9R!3:&5E=`T*#0I);G1R;V1U8W1I;VXZ#0H-"E-E8W1I;VX@-3`X(&]F M('1H92!296AA8FEL:71A=&EO;B!!8W0@;V8@,3DW,RP@*#(Y(%4N4RY#+B`W M.30@86YD(#<Y-&0@87,@86UE;F1E9"!I;B!T:&4@5V]R:V9O<F-E($EN=F5S M=&UE;G0@06-T(&]F(#$Y.3@I(')E<75I<F5S('1H870@86QL(&5L96-T<F]N M:6,@86YD(&EN9F]R;6%T:6]N('1E8VAN;VQO9WD@9&5V96QO<&5D+"!P<F]C M=7)E9"P@;6%I;G1A:6YE9"!O<B!U<V5D(&)Y('1H92!&961E<F%L($=O=F5R M;FUE;G0@8F4@9G5L;'D@86-C97-S:6)L92!B>2!P97)S;VYS('=I=&@@9&ES M86)I;&ET:65S+B!4:&4@<')O=FES:6]N<R!O9B!T:&4@07-S:7-T:79E(%1E M8VAN;VQO9WD@06-T(&]F(#$Y.3@L("A0+DPN,3`S+3(Q."D@97AP86YD<R!T M:&4@8V]M<&QI86YC92!R97%U:7)E;65N=',@;V8@4V5C=&EO;B`U,#@@=&\@ M86QL('-T871E<R!W:&EC:"!H879E(')E8V5I=F5D(&9U;F1I;F<@=6YD97(@ M=&AE($%402X@3W)E9V]N(')E8V5I=F5S(&9U;F1I;F<@=6YD97(@8F]T:"!T M:&4@051!(&%N9"!I=',@<')E8V5D:6YG(&QA=R!T:&4@5&5C:&YO;&]G>2!! 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