Think 508 First!
 

Section 508 Quick Reference Guide
 

intranet.epa.gov/accessibility 
Section 508 – Access for All, Barriers for None
 
 

What is Section 508? 

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 

§ 794d) requires federal agencies to develop, 

procure, maintain, or use electronic and 

information technology (EIT) that is accessible 

to people with disabilities – regardless of 

whether or not they work for the federal 

government. The U.S. Access Board establishes 

the Section 508 standards in order to implement 

the law. 

Is Section 508 the same as 

Reasonable Accommodation? 

Section 508 and Reasonable Accommodation 

(Section 501) are often confused with each other. 

Section 508 is about the EIT – the equipment and 

the tools that people use to access information or 

to do their jobs. Reasonable Accommodation is 

about the individual and what he/she needs 

because of his/her disability. Reasonable 

accommodation removes workplace barriers for 

individuals with disabilities. 

Why does EIT have to be accessible? 

Some people who access EP A’s information 

and resources may have disabilities. EPA has 

employees with disabilities and any new 

employees could potentially have disabilities. 

A person can become disabled at any time either 

temporarily or permanently. EPA makes its EIT 

accessible so everybody can access EP A 

information, because it is the right thing to do, 

and because it is the law. 

What is EIT? 

Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) is any 

equipment or system that EPA uses to create, convert, 

duplicate or access information and data. 

Examples of EIT include, but are not limited to: 

• Telephones, smart phones, and mobile devices 

• Televisions, DVD players, and videotaped 

productions 

• Internet and Intranet websites 

• PDF documents 

• Content on DVDs and CDs 

• On-line training 

• Webinars and teleconferencing 

• Technical support call centers 

• Remote access websites and tools 

• Tablet, laptop, and desktop computers 

• Software and operating systems 

• User guides for software and tools 

• Copiers, printers, and fax machines 

• Calculators 

• Lab equipment 

How do I make EIT Section 508 compliant? 

When you develop, procure, maintain, or use EIT, 

“Think 508 first!” 

• Determine if your product or service is EIT. 

If it is EIT, Section 508 applies. 

• Decide what standards may be applicable. 

• Write specific 508 requirements in contracts 

and IT workplans. 

• Test and verify compliance with 508 

standards before accepting deliverables, 

purchasing products and services, or 

launching websites, applications, or trainings. 

• Maintain a dialogue with developers, 

contractors, and project teams, throughout the 

acquisition and life cycle process. 

• For more information, refer to 

intranet.epa.gov/accessibility; 

www.section508.gov; and 

www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm 
Understanding Disabilities
 

Not all disabilities are obvious or easily identifiable. Many people tend to think of disabilities in absolutes: 

can see or can't, can hear or can't. However, disabilities take a variety of forms and may not always be 

readily apparent. Approximately 54 million Americans have some type of disability . Also, disabilities 

may not be permanent and can be temporary as a result of a medical condition, illness or surgery. Accessible 

EIT helps people with all kinds of disabilities. The important thing to remember is that disabilities are as 

unique as the individuals they affect. 

Visual – Blind or low vision, which includes a person 

having dimness, haziness, color blindness, tunnel vision, 

cataracts or eyesight problems. 

Auditory – A person who is deaf or hard of hearing can 

have a hearing loss ranging from mild to a total loss of 

hearing. A person might hear sounds but may have 

difficulty or is unable to comprehend spoken words. 

Speech – Speech related disabilities may include 

difficulty with voice strength, fluency , aphasia, which 

may alter how words are articulated, or complete 

voicelessness. 

Dexterity – Most individ uals who have dexterity 

disabilities have limited or no use of their upper or lower 

extremities. Individuals can have difficulty with 

coordination and movement due to the effects of arthritis, 

stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, 

Parkinson's disease, or accidents and injuries. 

Cognitive – A cognitive disability is any disability that 

affects mental processes and covers a wide range of 

abilities. 

Mobility – A person can have a motor impairment that 

limits his/her mobility or range of motion. A person may 

require the use of wheelchairs, canes, crutches, braces, 

or prostheses which can hinder access to EIT controls on 

kiosks or other closed products. 

 


 


 


 


 

EPA Accessibility Programs and Contact Information
 

Section 508 Program 

Section 508 Executive Council 

EPA’s Section 508 Executive Council is responsible for 

guiding the Agency’s Section 508 Program. The Executive Council includes senior leaders from the EPA program 

and regional offices, and it is co-chaired by the Director of 

the Office of Information Analysis and Access (OIAA) 

and the Director of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). 

Section 508 Coordinators 

Section 508 Coordinators serve as the EPA’s point of 

contact for Section 508 information. The 508 Coordinators work with the EPA offices to implement EPA’s 

Section 508 program on behalf of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Section 508 Executive Council. 

The coordinators provide consultation and information 

about resources as needed. 

Section 508 Coordinator: 

Amanda Sweda 

Assistant Section 508 Coordinator: 

Dorothy Semazzi 

E-mail: section508@epa.gov 

Assistive Technology Center 

The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) is a resource 

located at EPA Headquarters for using adaptive and 

assistive technology. Adaptive and assistive technology (AT) is used by people with disabilities in a way 

that best meets their individual needs. AT can include a 

variety of tools such as hardware and software, braille 

displays and note takers, larger monitors, volume handsets for phones, ergonomic keyboards, etc. EPA 

employees and system developers can test products, 

software applications, agency applications, websites 

and hardware with current versions of accessibility 

testing tools and assistive technology in the ATC to 

help ensure compliance with the Section 508 standards. 

ATC Manager: 

Elaine Davis, davis.elaine@epa.gov 

Reasonable Accommodation Program 

Reasonable accommodations are designed to remove 

workplace barriers for individuals with disabilities. 

The Office of Civil Rights coordinates the Reasonable 

Accommodation Program for EPA. In addition, there 

are Local Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators 

(LORACs) in EPA’s ten regional offices, as well as in 

the Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Cincinnati labs, 

who can assist with implementing the program. 

National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator: 

William Haig, haig.william@epa.gov 

Assistant Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator: 

Kristin Piorkowski Tropp, piorkowski.kristin@epa.gov 

Special Emphasis Program for Persons 

with Disabilities 

The Office of Civil Rights manages and administers 

the Agency's Special Emphasis Program for persons 

with disabilities. The National Program Manager 

provides policy guidance and technical assistance to 

EPA managers on the prevention and elimination of 

discrimination and harassment in the workforce for 

persons with disabilities. 

National Program Manager for Persons with 

Disabilities: 

Christopher Emanuel, emanuel.christopher@epa.gov 

Additional Resources 

EPA Section 508 Website
 

www.intranet.epa.gov/accessibility
 

Federal Section 508 Website
 

www.section508.gov
 

Section 508 Standards 

www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm 

Section 508 – Access for All, Barriers for None 

EPA-260-F-12-001 October 2012