Section 508 and CMS
What is Section 508?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998, is a federal law that requires agencies to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to electronic information and data comparable to those who do not have disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
The Section 508 standards are the technical requirements and criteria used to measure conformance within this law. More information on Section 508 and the technical standards can be found at Section508.gov.
The Section 508 law is broad in scope, applying to all technology the federal government buys, builds, maintains, and uses. Non-compliance can result in time consuming and costly lawsuits, delayed implementation of key IT investment priorities, and damage to public missions or image.
CMS’ Accessibility Statement & Commitment
We aspire to be a model employer of people with disabilities, as required by Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. CMS also seeks to ensure equally effective access to its programs and services, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We can reach both of these goals if we adhere to the requirements of Section 508.
CMS provides services to more than 100 million beneficiaries, and many of them have some type of disability. Approximately, 76 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed or underemployed.
Not only is Section 508 the law, but it is the right thing to do.
The CMS Section 508 Program
Our agency’s Section 508 Official is responsible for implementing and managing the CMS Section 508 Program. This robust program is built on the framework of the GSA Section 508 Technology Accessibility Playbook. The CMS Section 508 Official, who delegates authority to the CMS Section 508 Program Manager, also administers all Section 508 Program activities. Our work and objectives align with one of the following five program workstreams:
Policy & Program Administration:
CMS’s Section 508 Program has developed a formal Section 508 Policy, which provides details on accessibility requirements as it relates to ICT products and services developed, procured and maintained. This also supports the guidance and monitoring of the agency’s progress in developing, remediating, and delivering accessible content for our internal and external stakeholders.
Procurement:
In conjunction with CMS’s acquisitions group, the CMS Section 508 Program works with employees to determine the best set of tools and processes to procure accessible ICT goods and services. In addition, CMS assists in assessing the level of accessibility conformance during the market research and proposal evaluation stages of the procurement process.
Testing:
CMS’s Section 508 Program will conduct accessibility validation testing on products and applications before CMS employees or members of the public can use them. The agency uses both manual and automated testing practices to help determine if an application may pose challenges for persons with disabilities.
Education & Awareness:
CMS’s Section 508 Program helps to identify and provide training opportunities for CMS employees and contractors on accessibility. We promote the importance of creating and providing Section 508-compliant information and data to the accessibility community.
Document Compliance:
Our document compliance team provides consultations and remediation services to the agency in order to ensure that all documents meet applicable Section 508 guidelines.