1. GSA/OGP Section 508 Program Overview
Updating the Accessibility Vision: “Buy, Build, and Be Accessible”
GSA/OGP Section 508 Program Overview
Updating the Accessibility Vision: “Buy, Build, and Be Accessible

2. GSA’s Government-wide Section 508 Program
Our Mission: Work with the Accessibility Community to assist Agencies to:
Ensure Section 508 inclusion in acquisition solicitations
Increase Website/Application accessibility
Bring uniformity to Section 508 Programs across agencies
We do this through a partnership
GSA’s Government-wide Section 508 Program
Our Mission: Work with the Accessibility Community to assist Agencies to:
Ensure Section 508 inclusion in acquisition solicitations
Increase Website/Application accessibility
Bring uniformity to Section 508 Programs across agencies
We do this through a partnership

3. ACoP Strategic Priorities GSA Government-wide Section 508 Program
Section 508 Priorities
Access Board - Section 508 Refresh
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OMB Strategic Plan
Increase Transparency
Strengthen Accountability
Improve Collaboration
ACoP Strategic Priorities
Federal government acquisition strategy
Agency commitment to move from coordinator to 508 program
ACoP endorsed testing (Trusted Testers training program)
(Road Map, Strategic Plan, Data Analytics)
GSA Government-wide Section 508 Program
Section 508 Strategic Plan: “Buy, Build, Be Accessible”
Section 508 Priorities
Access Board - Section 508 Refresh
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OMB Strategic Plan
Increase Transparency
Strengthen Accountability
Improve Collaboration
ACoP Strategic Priorities
Federal government acquisition strategy
Agency commitment to move from coordinator to 508 program
ACoP endorsed testing (Trusted Testers training program)
(Road Map, Strategic Plan, Data Analytics)
GSA Government-wide Section 508 Program
Section 508 Strategic Plan: “Buy, Build, Be Accessible”
Coordinating governance starts with aligning priorities and work streams.
While the Trusted Tester Program is a major tenet of the Plan, as neither Bill Peterson nor his team were available today, we will not focus there today, but as ideas on the program come up, we certainly will capture them for Bill.
Flushing out useful ‘shared services’ and maturing 508 Programs is our primary focus today.

4. Changing our Approach The Major Change Why
We are focusing on enabling acquisition and program management professionals to ensure Section 508 is “baked in”, not “bolted on” to all aspects of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) - from requirements development to acquisition to sustainment and retirement.
Why
When focus is largely on after-the-fact remediation, we are devoting our energy and resources to fixing the ‘symptom” and not addressing the root problems. Shifting our focus to acquisition, the whole SDLC and prevention rather than remediation is more efficient and has longer lasting results.
The Major Change
We are focusing on enabling acquisition and program management professionals to ensure Section 508 is “baked in”, not “bolted on” to all aspects of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) - from requirements development to acquisition to sustainment and retirement.
Why
When focus is largely on after-the-fact remediation, we are devoting our energy and resources to fixing the ‘symptom” and not addressing the root problems. Shifting our focus to acquisition, the whole SDLC and prevention rather than remediation is more efficient and has longer lasting results.
What are we doing differently? (these are points in the Summary slide)
Refocus Section 508 assistance to engage earlier and more strategically in the Agency’s IT acquisition processes
Devote fewer OGP resources to after-the-fact compliance checking and remediation assistance
Enable Agencies to do their own solicitation and website checking
Capitalizing on upcoming NPRM FAR changes to incorporate more effective approaches to Section 508 compliance and conformance
Rebalance OGP federal and contractual resources
Focus training on more agency responsibility and less dependence on OGP’s review

5. OGP Government-wide Section 508 Program Focus
Support Agencies in their improvement of Program Maturity:
Align GSA Action Plan with ACoP
Align GSA training schedule with ACoP & Access Board trainings
Focus GSA resources on Agency assistance
Create more data-informed guidance material on how to buy, build, and be accessible.
Understand aggregate federal performance improvement
OGP Government-wide Section 508 Program Focus
Support Agencies in their improvement of Program Maturity:
Align GSA Action Plan with ACoP
Align GSA training schedule with ACoP & Access Board trainings
Focus GSA resources on Agency assistance
Create more data-informed guidance material on how to buy, build, and be accessible.
Understand aggregate federal performance improvement

6. OGP Section 508 Strategic Plan
GOAL
STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES
Buy Accessible
Embed accessibility into ICT management and procurement processes - Policy
Revise IT management and acquisition policy/guidance directives
Increase Agency ownership of solicitation process
Transition procurement review to agencies
Increase the capability of agencies’ solicitation review processes
Build Accessible
Embed Section 508 conformance into all phases of the SDLC
Provide processes/methods for Agencies to evaluate conformance of websites and applications
Centrally monitor and track Agency website conformance via PULSE
Increase Agency website/application testing capacity
Establish Section §508 best practices for the SDLC and Agile Development processes
Be Accessible
Establish and maintain an inventory of Section 508 best practices
Collect and promulgate best practices across the Section §508 community
Refocus S §508 training to emphasis a “train the trainer” approach
Refresh the Section §508 body of knowledge
Boost outreach and communications tactics
Improve the synergy among Section 508 governance entities and functions
Work with key governance stakeholders (OMB, ACoP, Access Board, DoJ, DHS) and select Committees and subcommittees to achieve Section §508 goals
OGP Section 508 Strategic Plan
GOAL Buy Accessible
Embed accessibility into ICT management and procurement processes - Policy
Revise IT management and acquisition policy/guidance directives
Increase Agency ownership of solicitation process
Transition procurement review to agencies
Increase the capability of agencies’ solicitation review processes
Build Accessible
Embed Section 508 conformance into all phases of the SDLC
Provide processes/methods for Agencies to evaluate conformance of websites and applications
Centrally monitor and track Agency website conformance via PULSE
Increase Agency website/application testing capacity
Establish Section §508 best practices for the SDLC and Agile Development processes
Be Accessible
Establish and maintain an inventory of Section 508 best practices
Collect and promulgate best practices across the Section §508 community
Refocus S §508 training to emphasis a “train the trainer” approach
Refresh the Section §508 body of knowledge
Boost outreach and communications tactics
Improve the synergy among Section 508 governance entities and functions
Work with key governance stakeholders (OMB, ACoP, Access Board, DoJ, DHS) and select Committees and subcommittees to achieve Section §508 goals
Focus on Policy, Process, Lifecycle, Best Practices, and Governance
New Direction for OGP Section §508 Program:
Embed shared service spirit into §508
Use the release of the new Reg to recast the Program
Refocus §508 responsibilities on agencies, rely less on end-process review and remediation
Ensure §508 considerations are built in early in the agency’s ICT (SDLC) lifecycles
Actions:
Address the Policy Issues
Fix the FAR - update the language, address responsibilities
EA/CPIC/SDLC policy alignment - put out guidance to reinforce the control gates that should ensure §508 compliance is planned for
Update OMB guidance - (Circ A130)
Focus on Agency Assistance
Assist Agencies improve Section §508 Program maturity
Expand/re-tailor Agency training and guidance
Improve and provide tools to agencies (solicitation review, website/appl review, SDLC tools) for acquisition and other agency IT officials
Leverage Pulse to highlight web site §508 compliance - as assistance to agencies
Promote the DHS Trusted Tester Program
Build the §508 Community
Embed our strategic planning and activities into the CIOC ACoP
Incentivize Agencies to share best practices
Bring the community together in forums
Build on/support - Accessibility Guild (18F)
Build a rotational development assignment -tap into internship programs

7. Embed accessibility in the procurement process
Goal 1
Embed accessibility in the procurement process
Objectives:
Revise IT Management and acquisition policy/guidance directives
Transition procurement review to agencies/508 Coordinators
Increase agencies’ capability to develop their own solicitation review processes
Actions:
Revise Policy/Guidance directives (i.e.FAR, A-130)
Transition OGP team Solicitation Review process to agencies
Create a more efficient method of reviewing Federal solicitations, providing tools and processes which increase agency engagement in their own solicitation review process
OUTCOMES: Reduced remediation costs through improved acquisition practices.
Goal 1
Embed accessibility in the procurement process
Objectives:
Revise IT Management and acquisition policy/guidance directives
Transition procurement review to agencies/508 Coordinators
Increase agencies’ capability to develop their own solicitation review processes
Actions:
Revise Policy/Guidance directives (i.e.FAR, A-130)
Transition OGP team Solicitation Review process to agencies
Create a more efficient method of reviewing Federal solicitations, providing tools and processes which increase agency engagement in their own solicitation review process
OUTCOMES: Reduced remediation costs through improved acquisition practices.
Additional Actions in support of Action #2: Create a more efficient method of reviewing Federal solicitations, providing tools and processes which increase agency engagement in their own solicitation review process.
Engage agencies more directly in the review process - ‘train-the- trainer”
Focus soliction reviews on high value solicitations
Increase use of the Buy Accessible (BA) tool
create a portfolio of best practices for solicitation development and assessment
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act was enacted to eliminate barriers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. OGPs Section 508 Program provides technical assistance to agencies by developing, deploying, and managing tools, websites, and resources to help improve compliance with Section 508.
OGP needs to lead the Federal Agencies in development of new policies and directives
Including updating of the BuyAccessible / Section 508 websites and Wizard

8. Embed accessibility in the development
Goal 2
Embed accessibility in the development
process
Objectives:
Provide processes and methods for agencies to evaluate conformance of websites and applications
Expand the website / application testing capacity
Establish Section 508 best practices for the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile Development processes
Actions:
Partner with DHS to promote the Trusted Tester Program
Support/partner with the development communities to collect Best Practices (e.g. 18F, Accessibility Guild, UX Community, etc.) and promote common website tools and methodologies across the Federal government
In coordination with the .Gov Dashboard, continue developing and improving metrics tracking processes
OUTCOMES: Reduced remediation costs to the federal government by incorporating conformance best practices into the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Goal 2
Embed accessibility in the development
Process
Objectives:
Provide processes and methods for agencies to evaluate conformance of websites and applications
Expand the website / application testing capacity
Establish Section 508 best practices for the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile Development processes
Actions:
Partner with DHS to promote the Trusted Tester Program
Support/partner with the development communities to collect Best Practices (e.g. 18F, Accessibility Guild, UX Community, etc.) and promote common website tools and methodologies across the Federal government
In coordination with the .Gov Dashboard, continue developing and improving metrics tracking processes
OUTCOMES: Reduced remediation costs to the federal government by incorporating conformance best practices into the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

9. Goal 3
Encourage best practices and standardized approaches to incorporation of accessibility
Objectives:
Collect and promulgate best practices across the 508 Community
Partner with the ACoP to support Accessibility governance
Increase Section 508 Program Management knowledge and competencies within agencies
Actions:
Support/partner with the development communities to collect Best Practices (e.g. 18F, Accessibility Guild, UX Community, etc.)
Develop a rotational ‘hands-on’ training program and establish partnership with a training program
Inventory, coordinate, and make available Section 508 Programs and resources to reduce areas of duplication
Outcomes: Increased Section 508 knowledge throughout the Federal government with regard to the implementation and maintenance of Section 508 programs. Increased efficiency by standardization of training and reduce duplication of efforts.
Goal 3
Encourage best practices and standardized approaches to incorporation of accessibility
Objectives:
Collect and promulgate best practices across the 508 Community
Partner with the ACoP to support Accessibility governance
Increase Section 508 Program Management knowledge and competencies within agencies
Actions:
Support/partner with the development communities to collect Bes Practices (e.g. 18F, Accessibility Guild, UX Communities, etc)
Develop a rotational “hands on” training program and establish partnership with a training program
Inventory, coordinate, and make available Section 508 Programs and resources to reduce areas of duplication
Outcomes: Increased Section 508 knowledge throughout the Federal government with regard to the implementation and maintenance of Section 508 programs. Increased efficiency by standardization of training and reduce duplication of efforts.

10. Life Cycle Support Services
Assessments
Agency self-reported Program Maturity Assessments (twice annually)
GSA - Solicitation assessments of FBO - aggregate and individual agencies
GSA - Website assessments scoring
Analysis
Identify common Section 508 Program weaknesses
Identify common training needs
Identify policy reinforcement needs
Assistance
Provide Agency 508 PM’s with solicitation review and website assessment information
offer direct assistance to agencies in need
Training
Coordinate training across providers (ACoP, GSA, Access Board, Agencies)
Target training to audiences - IT planners, Acquisition, and System Developers
Include Executive training for CIOs and CAOs
Ensure training program supports identified weaknesses
Collaboration and Outreach
Community building - bring agencies together in virtual and in person forums
Incent agencies to share their best practices and training resources
Life Cycle Support Services
Assessments
Agency self-reported Program Maturity Assessments (twice annually)
GSA - Solicitation assessments of FBO - aggregate and individual agencies
GSA - Website assessments scoring
Analysis
Identify common Section 508 Program weaknesses
Identify common training needs
Identify policy reinforcement needs
Assistance
Provide Agency 508 PM’s with solicitation review and website assessment information
offer direct assistance to agencies in need
Training
Coordinate training across providers (ACoP, GSA, Access Board, Agencies)
Target training to audiences - IT planners, Acquisition, and System Developers
Include Executive training for CIOs and CAOs
Ensure training program supports identified weaknesses
Collaboration and Outreach
Community building - bring agencies together in virtual and in person forums
Incent agencies to share their best practices and training resources
We can help mature Agency 508 programs by looking at the inter-relationships of activities.

11. Annual Process Life Cycle
Need to look at two lifecycles:
(1) the development lifecycle of architect, invest, buy, and build, (spoken to earlier)
and
(2) the annual process life cycle: Assess, Analyze, Assist, Train, Collaborate, and re-Assess

12. Coordinating Training & Technical Assistance
Providers
Content
GSA/OGP
Access Board
ACoP Training Committee
ACoP Best Practices Committee
Agency 508 Coordinators
Legislation & Rulemaking
Solicitation
Program Maturity
Website Testing
SDLC Methodology
Audiences
Venue/Formats
IT Planners
Developers
Contract Officers
End Users
Website
Webinars
Agencies
Training Forums (incl. virtual)
Community Events
Coordinating Training & Technical Assistance
Providers
GSA/OGP
Access Board
ACoP Training Committee
ACoP Best Practices Committee
Agency 508 Coordinators
Content
Legislation & Rulemaking
Solicitation
Program Maturity
Website Testing
SDLC Methodology
Audiences
IT Planners
Developers
Contract Officers
End Users
Venue/Formats
Website
Webinars
Agencies
Training Forums (incl. virtual)
Community Events

13. Solicitation Analysis 2007 - 2014
Government-wide Performance based upon random sampling of FBO solicitations
Solicitation Analysis 2007 – 2014
Government-wide Performance based upon random sampling of FBO solicitations
Bar chart showing the Red, Yellow, and Green percentages of assessment letters for 2008 to 2014
In the past, we’ve relied heavily on random sampling of solicitations on FBO. Today we are introducing new tools that will scan the entirity of FBO, past and present if you like, and the entire .gov domain for website compliance.

14. New Process
This diagram outlines the process by which procurements on FedBizOpps will be reviewed going forward.
"This diagram outlines the process by which procurements on FedBizOpps will be reviewed going forward. Using an API developed by 18F, OGP’s software will daily collect all of the new procurements posted on fedbizopps, screen them to identify EIT solicitications, then compare the solicitations to past solicitations that were evaluated by professional assessors and assigned a grade. Based on the outcome of this comparison, the new solicitations will be assigned a predicted score with a confidence level, depending on the similarity of the procurement to past procurements that have been evaluated. Using these predicted scores, assessors at agencies will be able to target their evaluation efforts to the solicitations most likely to not be compliant with 508 standards, allowing them to correct more solicitations before they close. The process involves a data feedback loop, meaning that the model will become more accurate over time as agency assessors share the results of their evaluations."

15. Coming Soon to Pulse and Section 508
Conformance of Federal Websites
Pulse is a project of GSA that measures publicly available information about how Federal domains are following best practices.
In future versions PULSE will feature Section 508 conformance, as determined by automated tools.
Improved Guidance
The new, consolidated, Section508.gov will present improved guidance with detailed information on WCAG 2.0 errors and how to fix “false positives,” through best practices.
Coming Soon to Pulse and Section 508
Conformance of Federal Websites
Pulse is a project of GSA that measures publicly available information about how Federal domains are following best practices.
In future versions PULSE will feature Section 508 conformance, as determined by automated tools.
Improved Guidance
The new, consolidated, Section508.gov will present improved guidance with detailed information on WCAG 2.0 errors and how to fix “false positives,” through best practices.
Our ideas for .gov accessibility checking on Pulse are less developed that our Solicitation identfication side. So be sure to give Gordon your ideas.

16. Section 508 Resources Our two sites became one in July 2015
GSA Provides Technical Support for Section 508 Compliance at
Our two sites became one in July 2015
One stop to find:
Law • Guidance • Training • Agency Coordinator Information
How to fix your Website • How to make Documents Accessible
How to make your Procurement Right
Section 508 ResourcGSA Provides Technical Support for Section 508 Compliance at es
Our two sites became one in July 2015
One stop to find:
Law • Guidance • Training • Agency Coordinator Information
How to fix your Website • How to make Documents Accessible
How to make your Procurement Right

17. OGP Section 508 Program Strategy:
Awareness
Tools/Assistance
(Shared Services)
Website
Promotion
Training
Events (i.e. Disability Month)
Dashboard
Solicitation Review & Acq Requirements Tools
DHS Trusted Tester Program
Contract Services (On Acq Gateway)
18F & other Agile Development Services
Metrics/Measures
Website (One Stop)
Gov Prog Maturity Assessments
Gov §508 Compliance
Use of Website
Use of BAT
DOJ survey results
Rejuvenate
Compelling Case
Best Practices
Community Contacts and Collaboration
OGP Section 508 Program Strategy:
Awareness
Website
Promotion
Training
Events (i.e. Disability Month)
Dashboard
Tools/Assistance
(Shared Services)
Solicitation Review & Acq Requirements Tools
DHS Trusted Tester Program
Contract Services (On Acq Gateway)
18F & other Agile Development Services
Metrics/Measures
Gov Prog Maturity Assessments
Gov §508 Compliance
Use of Website
Use of BAT
DOJ survey results
Website (One Stop)
Rejuvenate
Compelling Case
Best Practices
Community Contacts and Collaboration
Federal Government Acquisition strategy
· Federal Government-wide Shared Services
· Help sponsor a GWAC (NOT ADDRESSED TO DATE)
· FITARA, common acquisition platform (Make reference to OPG FITARA role)
· Need an “absolute” centrally managed review process for some commodities (Like FedRAMP)
Agency commitment moving from a 508 coordinator to a 508 program
· Creation of a roadmap to provide more guidance on how to implement 508
· Revisit strategic plan
· Data analytics
ACoP endorsed testing (Trusted Testers training program)
· OMB Chartered
· Further implementation of the trusted testing methodology
· Training testers across the Federal Government
· Training on document accessibility (governance?)

18. Questions????
Contact Information
John Sullivan
Questions????
Contact Information
John Sullivan