Access Board Issues Long Awaited ICT Proposed Rules

COAT was pleased to see issuance of a draft "Section 508" final rule on March 22, 2010 by the U.S. Access Board, entitled "Draft Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines," now popularly referred to as "the ICT rules."  This draft is about updating standards for electronic and information technology and telecommunications accessibility guidelines for government purchases. Within the same rulemaking, the Access Board would revise its Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines ("ADAAG") for self-service machines used for ticketing, check-in or check-out, seat selection, boarding passes, or ordering food in restaurants and cafeterias.

See draft proposed rule and notice on Access Board website.The document is 100 pages; and the notice is 12 pages with 33 questions posed. Public comments on the NPRM are due by June 21, 2010. See the Notice with the questions.

The Access Board seeks public comments on these draft standards and guidelines on all aspects, including the advantages and disadvantages of draft provisions, the organizational approach to presenting the standards and guidelines, alternative policies to those contained in the draft, and information on benefits and costs. After reviewing the comments received in response to this advance notice and draft, the Board will issue a proposed rule followed by a final rule.

Comments submitted by the public should refer to the Access Board's docket number 2010-1 or RIN number 3014-AA37. Commenters can use the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or send via Email to ictrule@access-board.gov, or by Fax 202-272-0081, or snailmail or hand delivery or courier to Office of Technical and Informational Services, Access Board, 1331 F Street NW, suite 1000, Washington, DC  20004-1111.

Note that comments received are posted to the federal rulemaking website without change and may include any personal information you provide.

As you may recall, back on April 3, 2008 the TEITAC presented to the Access Board a report with recommended revisions to the Board's section 508 standards and Telecommunications Act accessibility guidelines. TEITAC included representatives from eight COAT affiliates: AAPD, ACB, AFB, ATAP, CSD, HLAA, Inclusive Technologies & WGBH Media Access Center who talked with industry representatives from the start of TEITAC on July 6, 2006. Advocates hope that the hard work of COAT representatives, and others, will result in a final rule by the U.S. Access Board that leads to far more accessibility and usability for people with disabilities.

Inquiries to Tim Creagan