Third Addendum: Access Board Receives over 100 Comments on Proposed Standards for Electronic and Information Technology

July 4, 2000

Last March, the Access Board proposed standards for Federal electronic and information technology that were available for public comment until May 30, 2000. Over 100 individuals and organizations submitted comments on the standards. Comments were submitted by Federal agencies, representatives of the information technology industry, disability groups, and persons with disabilities. According to the Board, the comments address, inter alia, the criteria for determining when compliance is an "undue burden," the effective date of the final standards, and requirements for color contrast, web sites and pages, time delay features for operations, and touch screens. These comments are posted on the Board's web site at: .

The trade press has reported that industry is mobilizing efforts to persuade regulators to refrain from adopting standards that could stifle the development of creative approaches to the access issue. Industry has also approached Congress to postpone implementation of the rules, which are currently scheduled to be published later this summer with an effective date of August 7, 2000. Industry has requested that the effective date of the new standards be delayed until six months after publication of the final rules. In light of the volume of comments, there is some question whether the rules could be finalized by August 7.

Read related articles on our site:

"Little Recognized Act May Soon Result In Accessibility Regulations For IT Equipment."

Addendum: Applicability Of Section 508 Of The Rehabilitation Act To Web Sites

Second Addendum: Proposed Access Standards For Electronic And Information Technology

Fourth Addendum: Access Board Issues Final Accessibility Standards For Electronic And Information Technology

Fifth Addendum: Congressman Davis Requests GSA To Issue Guidance Confirming Prohibition On Agency Requirement Of Contractor Certifications Of Section 508 Compliance