Many Federal Agencies May Fail to Comply With Law Helping Disabled Access Web From: Wall Street Journal - June 20, 2001 - page B2 By: Ted Bridis and Glenn R. Simpson Observers say few federal agencies are prepared for Friday's deadline to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998. This act mandates that federal government Web pages and computer technology be made accessible to those with disabilities. This has forced federal agencies to make changes both large and small - for example, converting Web pages into formats compatible with software with sight and hearing impairments and replacing traditional keyboards with devices that individuals with limited mobility can use. Agencies that are not in compliance with the act by Friday's deadline can be sued under the terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Officials at the Justice Department say some 10,000 Web pages are not yet compliant with the act, risking such suits from both citizens and from their own employees. Although there is no mandate in the act requiring vendors to provide software and hardware that is accessible to disabled individuals, Information Technology Association of America President Harris Miller says vendors must hurry to provide such equipment; otherwise, say observers, the government will not be able to purchase their products. The act is expected to add $1 billion per year to the government's tech spending. In related news, the National Council on Disability has released a report that is highly critical of the federal government for not providing more assistance to disabled users of technology. The report suggests that the Bush administration form a commission to oversee accessibility issues. John Goldthwaite adds: Section 508 applies only to webpages developed or redesigned after June 21, 2001. There is no requirement for retrofitting existing webpages under 508. Federal webpages have been required to be accessible to disabled users under Sections 501 and 504 of the Rehab Act all along but developing to 508 standards would only apply after June 21. A consumer would have redress under the earlier versions of the Rehabilitation Act for existing websites.