As a result, Section 508 does not authorize complaints or lawsuits to retrofit technology procured before that date, even though other parts of the law address technology developed, used or maintained by a federal agency. I anticipate that the thrust of the requirements in the Access Board s final standards will be pertinent to Web sites and pages developed after the effective date. As proposed by the board, the standards do not prohibit the use of Web site graphics or animation. Instead, the standards aim to ensure that such information is also available in a format accessible to people with vision impairments. Generally, this means use of text labels or descriptors for graphics and certain format elements.
Accessible sites offer significant advantages that go beyond access.
Those with text-only options provide a faster downloading alternative and can facilitate transmission of Web data to cell phones and personal digital assistants. Compliance with Section 508 will require time, effort and money. But in no way does the Access Board foresee any agency having to pull the plug on its Web site as a more feasible alternative. Lawrence W. Roffee Executive director Access Board Washington GCN welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typed double-spaced and must include name, address, telephone number and signature of the author.