Source: https://regulations.vlex.com/vid/information-and-communication-technology-748941197
Timestamp: 2019-03-20 14:01:02
Document Index: 290510098

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'ART 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'art 147', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194', 'art 1194']

Information and Communication Technology - December 13, 2018 - Regulations - VLEX 748941197
FR Doc No: 2018-26570
22 CFR Part 147
RIN 1400-AE35
SUMMARY: The Department of State (the Department) updates and revises the rules that implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, consistent with a recent update to accessibility standards from the U.S. Access Board.
DATES: The Department will accept comments until February 11, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the method:
Email: email protected--Alice Kottmyer, Attorney-
Adviser, Department of State.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Kottmyer, Attorney Adviser, Office of Management, Office of the Legal Adviser, (202) 647-2318.
Section 508 authorizes the Access Board to establish standards for technical and functional performance criteria to ensure that information technologies are accessible and usable by persons with disabilities. In January of 2017, the Access Board published a ``refresh'' of its existing standards and guidelines, which updated accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) covered by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act or section 255 of the Communications Act. The rule jointly updated and reorganized the section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines to advance accessibility, facilitate compliance, and harmonize the requirements with other standards in United States and abroad. 82 FR 5832. Federal agencies, however, need only comply with the revised 508 standards (codified at 38 CFR 1194.1 and appendices A, C, and D), whereas the revised section 255 guidelines apply exclusively to telecommunications equipment manufacturers.
In its ``refresh'', the Access Board, among other things, reorganized the section 508 standards and updated terminology, such as replacing references to ``electronic and information technology'' with ``information and communication technology''. The title of the standards was also changed from ``Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards'', to ``Information and Communication Technology Standards and Guidelines''.
The amendments to part 147 proposed in this notice are intended to align the Department's regulations with the Access Board's revised section 508 standards. The Department also proposes adding one new provision (Sec. 147.9), which provides a prohibition against intimidation or retaliation against anyone who files a complaint, furnishes information, or engages in other lawful activities in furtherance of section 508, part 147, or other regulations that implement section 508.
The Department of State does not consider this rule to be a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f). The Department of State has reviewed this rule to ensure its consistency with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in Executive Order 12866. The Department has determined that the benefits of this regulation, i.e., aligning its regulation with the standards promulgated by the Access Board, outweigh any costs.
This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. The rule will not have federalism implications warranting the application of Executive Orders 12372 and 13132.
Civil rights, Communications equipment, Computer technology, Government employees, Individuals with disabilities, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telecommunications.
PART 147--INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Revise the heading for part 147 as set forth above.
Subpart A of Part 147 Amended
In subpart A of part 147:
Remove ``electronic and information technology'' and add in its place ``information and communication technology'', wherever it occurs.
Remove the acronym ``EIT'' and add in its place the acronym ``ICT'', wherever it occurs.
Sec. 147.2 Amended
In Sec. 147.2, remove ``36 CFR 1194.4'' and add in its place ``E103.4 of appendix A to 36 CFR part 1194.''
In Sec. 147.3, revise the introductory text and the definition of ``Section 508.''
Sec. 147.3 Definitions.
Sec. 147.4 Amended
Amend Sec. 147.4 as follows:
In paragraph (a), remove ``Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194)'' and add in its place ``Revised 508 Standards (36 CFR 1194.1 and appendices A, C and D to 36 CFR part 1194).''
In paragraph (b), remove ``36 CFR part 1194'' and add in its place ``36 CFR 1194.1.''
Sec. 147.5 Amended
In Sec. 147.5, remove ``EIT Accessibility Standards'' and add in its place ``Revised 508 Standards.''
Sec. 147.6 Amended
Amend Sec. 147.6 as follows:
In paragraph (b), remove ``Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, 36 CFR part 1194'' and add in its place ``Revised 508 Standards (36 CFR 1194.1 and appendices A, C and D to 36 CFR part 1194).''
In paragraph (c), remove ``36 CFR part 1194'' and add in its place ``36 CFR 1194.1''.
In paragraph (d), remove ``36 CFR part 1194'' and add in its place ``36 CFR 1194.1''.
Sec. 147.7 Amended
Amend Sec. 147.7(b) by removing ``36 CFR part 1194'' and adding in its place ``36 CFR 1194.1''.
Add Sec. 147.9 to read as follows:
Sec. 147.9 Intimidation and retaliation prohibited.
FR Doc. 2018-26570 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am