[Athen] Section 508 Refresh - Now In Effect?

[Jennifer Sutton]

Perhaps some of you who know 508 (both new and old) better than I do can 
clarify this for me. But I'm a little concerned at the mention of 
"lawsuits" below, especially since there's already plenty of fear, 
uncertainty, and doubt in the higher ed. space, due to lawsuits . . .


Are there really likely to be 508-related lawsuits? As I understood 
things, it would take a *long* time for anything 508-related to turn 
into a lawsuit. Mostly, they're complaints that people with disabilities 
must file, and then, the Federal agency (or other institution, if it 
falls under 508) must take action, etc. In other words, I don't think 
508 functions like filing something against a company or institution 
that turns into a DoJ agreement (if the organization doesn't take 
satisfactory action, of course).


I hope this is clear, and that someone else can clarify further. I'm not 
saying 508 isn't important; I'm just not so sure it's going to result in 
a deluge of lawsuits beginning in 2018.


Does anybody have a list of the lawsuits that have happened under the 
old 508? I'd be interested to see it.


Best,

Jennifer



On 3/21/2017 9:31 AM, Chagnon | PubCom wrote:

>

> Yes, Sec. 508 goes into effect today, March 21.

>

> It becomes enforceable on January 18, 2018.

>

> Translation: All ICT (information communication technology) published 

> from January 18 and forward must be compliant. The lawsuits will begin 

> on January 18, 2018. You have 9 months to get your act together.

>

> See: 

> https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/03/02/2017-04059/information-and-communication-technology-ict-standards-and-guidelines

>

> Quoted from the Federal Register:

>

> “DATES:

>

> The effective date of the final rule published on January 18, 2017 at 

> 82 FR 5790 is delayed to March 21, 2017. However, compliance with the 

> section 508-based standards is not required until January 18, 2018, 

> which is one year after the final rule's original publication date. 

> Compliance with the section 255-based guidelines is not required until 

> the guidelines are adopted by the Federal Communications Commission. 

> The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 

> final rule published on January 18, 2017 at 82 FR 5790 is approved by 

> the Director of the Federal Register as of March 21, 2017.”

>

> If you are a US-based institution, then yes, Sec. 508 is the law you 

> must follow.

>

> However, understand the difference between laws and standards.

>

> This law does not define the standards for accessibility for some ICT 

> but does for others:

>

>   * For websites, digital media, and documents like Word and PDFs, the

>     law “includes by reference” the international accessibility

>     standards WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA-1.

>   * For Sec. 255 technologies, especially telecom, cell phones,

>     kiosks, and software, it defines the standards but they are

>     currently delayed.

>

> We recommend that our clients follow WCAG 2.0 for all website information.

>

> Document-based ICT, including PDFs that are posted on websites, is 

> more accessible if you follow PDF/UA (PDF Universal Accessibility) 

> guidelines as the WCAG guidelines really don’t work for PDFs. PDF and 

> HTML technologies are not the same. A recent blog explains the 

> differences between these two technologies and standards: 

> http://www.pubcom.com/blog/2017-01-03/wcag-pdf-standards.html

>

> --Bevi Chagnon

>

> *From:*athen-list 

> [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] *On Behalf Of 

> *Kressin, Lori L. (llk2t)

> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 21, 2017 11:52 AM

> *To:* ATHEN <athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* [Athen] Section 508 Refresh - Now In Effect?

>

> Good morning all,

>

> Here we are on March 21, 2017. Does that mean that the refresh of 

> Section 508 is now in effect?

>

> I have not heard anything to contrary, but I certainly could have 

> missed something.

>

> What is the general thought - is this the standard that you and your 

> institution will now follow?

>

> Thanks for your input,

>

> Lori

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> *Lori Kressin*

> Coordinator of Academic Accessibility

>

> Office of the Executive VP and Provost • Univ. of Virginia

>

> 102 Cresap Rd • POB 400199 • Charlottesville, VA • 22903

>

> [434] 982-5784

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman13.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman13.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20170321/8182f790/attachment.html>