Survey of Federal Requiring Officials: Wrap-Up February 2003 Terry Weaver, GSA and Joy Fulton, Accessibility Forum Staff

Outline History Approach Survey Results Further Analysis List of Potential Needs Top 20 Needs

History Analysis of published information about E&IT procurement practices from 15 Federal Agencies –How Section 508 was implemented –Poster board illustrating research results available Interviews with requiring officials from 10 federal agencies –Major customers for E&IT –Paper describing interview results available

Approach Develop confidential questionnaire/survey to identify problems and issues in implementing Section 508 Analyze how these agencies describe their process and procedures to: –Determine Applicability of Section 508 to procurements –Consider Section 508 in source selection –Train requiring officials –Provide documentation

Survey Results Reported in detail in September Generally found that: –Federal agencies are committed to implementing Section 508 –They need further guidance and assistance on how to implement Many agencies were unclear on the official guidance, and on what further assistance is needed.

Further Analysis Content analysis of survey results (done) –Developed a list of 20 potential “needs” Provided feedback to survey respondents (done) Review by the Section 508 Working Group (in process) –Prioritizing of the top 20 potential “needs”

List of Potential Needs What follows are survey results, a compendium of interview comments Comments were made and noted during confidential interviews, then analyzed later Potential needs are not government or Forum approved requirements Some are beyond what can or should be provided as guidance or help

List of Potential Needs Standard 508 agency-wide training program for everyone in the agency. Standard 508 government-wide training program for everyone in the government. Additional funding for 508 compliant technologies. Tool for determining the provisions that apply. Better understanding of applicability across state and international boundaries, including US government facilities overseas. Means of communicating 508 requirements to vendors. Government wide market research information repository for 508-related technologies.

List of Potential Needs (2) Qualified bidders list of compliant vendors. Database of tested, certified products maintained by the Agency. Database of tested, certified products maintained government wide. Logo or icon or other labeling program to confirm product compliance. Standard RFP language for 508 documentation including 508 requirements, applicable provisions and exceptions. Tool for determining which provisions apply to a particular product and product features, in addition to those required by the acquisition. Means of communicating additional accessibility requirements because of their product’s features to vendors.

Your Questions and Comments Floor open for questions and discussion