U.S. Access Board Publishes Updated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Requirements in the Federal Register

On January 18, 2017 Federal Resister, the U.S. Access Board published a final rule that updates accessibility requirements for information and communication technology (ICT) covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act. The Board released an advance copy of the rule on its website last week.

The rule jointly updates and reorganizes the Section 508 standards and Section 255 guidelines to advance accessibility, facilitate compliance, and harmonize the requirements with other standards in the U.S. and abroad. The Section 508 standards apply to ICT procured, developed, maintained, or used by federal agencies. The Communications Act guidelines cover telephones, cell phones, pagers, computers with modems and other telecommunications equipment.

Further information, including an overview of the rule, is available on the Board's website.