Type of
Feedback
 | Questions about the website | ||
| Problem with web site | ||
| Comment or suggestion | ||
| Accessibility Issue regarding 508 Compliance | ||
| Visitor information
|
Opportunities,
Inc. Community Action Agency is committed to making its web site as accessible as possible
to all users, without regard to disabilities, and to comply with all relevant laws and
regulations. If you need assistance -- due to a disability -- to access a page on our web
site, you may:
At the bottom of every page there is a link labeled:
"Was the
information on this page helpful?"
Select this link and you
will be taken to a feedback page, which offers choices to your problem with that
particular page. You may fill in the following areas of information:
| Type of
Feedback
|
| Problem
Information
|
Contact us at 580-623-7283
between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday (excluding
federal holidays). We will assist you by providing the information in a more accessible
alternate format suitable to your needs. Please be sure to have available the URL
(web address) of the page where you are having difficulty.
If you require the use of a
Relay Service, please call the Federal Relay Services - 1-800-877-8339. This is a toll
free relay service to call federal agencies from TTY devices.
Synopsis of Section 508 Accessibility
Requirements:
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments
requires that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and
information technology (EIT), Federal employees with disabilities have comparable access
to and use of information and data as Federal employees who have no disabilities, unless
an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals
with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a
Federal agency, have comparable access to and use of information and data as the public
without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
Although Federal agencies have an explicit statutory
obligation to make all EIT that they develop, maintain or use compliant with Section 508,
the current emphasis is on newly procured EIT because it is the category that is
explicitly enforceable by legal action. Procurement awards made on or after June 25, 2001,
are subject to Section 508 (see FAR Final Rule).
According to the Access Board, the Section 508
requirements do not apply retroactively to pre-existing EIT. Specifically, the
"Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards: Economic
Assessment," states that
"The
standards are to be applied prospectively and do not require Federal agencies to retrofit
existing electronic and information technology. As agencies upgrade and change their
electronic and information technology, they must comply with the standards."
(See Chapter 2.1 Final Standards)
It should be noted, however, that other Federal regulations and guidelines (e.g., Section 501 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) require equal access for individuals with disabilities. Therefore, Federal agencies are required, upon request, to provide information and data to individuals with disabilities through an alternative means of access that can be used by the individuals.
Send Comments to:tbowman@opportunities-inc.org
