[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh" Regulations

[Danielsen, Chris]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh" Regulations

Baltimore, Maryland (January 9, 2017): The National Federation of the 
Blind, the nation's leading advocate for blind Americans to gain 
equal access to information and technology, today applauded the 
publication of new technical standards to bring information and 
communication technology (ICT)  into compliance with section 508 of 
the Rehabilitation act of 1973, which requires government agencies 
and contractors to make their electronic information and technology 
accessible to the blind and others with disabilities.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Information and communication Technology has changed a great 
deal since the last Section 508 regulations were issued, and has 
become an even more integral part of everyday life. Yet blind people, 
particularly blind federal employees, continue to struggle with 
access barriers when interacting with electronic and information 
technology used or procured by federal agencies. For these reasons, 
we are extremely pleased that the new Section 508 standards have 
finally been published. Government agencies and contractors should 
now understand how to make information and services accessible to the 
blind, allowing federal employees to perform their job functions 
effectively and other blind Americans to exercise our rights and 
responsibilities as citizens."

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require 
Federal agencies to make their ICT accessible to people with 
disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in 
information technology, open new opportunities for people with 
disabilities, and encourage development of technologies that will 
help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies 
when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and 
information technology.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create 
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330 | <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
Twitter: @rlawyer

<https://nfb.org/>
National Federation of the Blind


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The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and 
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. 
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.



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