US Access Board Holds Forum on IT Access

Virtual Forum on Improving Access to Federal IT to be Held September 8, 2011

The U.S. Access Board and the Chief Information Officers Council will conduct an online listening session, with a dial-in option, on ways to improve access to information technology in the federal sector for people with disabilities on September 8 from 2:00 to 5:00 (E). This forum will provide an opportunity for members of the public to suggest steps the federal government can take to improve its acquisition and implementation of accessible technology under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Information is also sought on emerging technologies that may pose barriers to access. People with disabilities, advocates, technology companies, government employees and other interested parties are invited to participate.

Participants can attend by logging onto the webinar, which will be captioned, or by calling in according to the instructions (http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/session-instructions.htm) posted on the Board’s website. Advance registration is not required.

This session is the last in a series held over the past year as part of an administration initiative to improve the access to government information. Under this effort, the Board and the CIO Council, along with the Chief Acquisition Officers Council and the General Services Administration, have organized these listening sessions to engage with citizens, federal employees, and other stakeholders and to collect their comments, ideas, and recommendations. Previous sessions took place in Chicago (September), Washington, D.C. (December), San Diego (March), and Silicon Valley (June).

A published notice provides additional details and background information on the session. For further information, contact Tim Creagan of the Access Board at creagan@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0016 (v), or (202) 272-0074 (TTY).