GSA Section 508: Managing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Individuals with Disabilities

Purpose: 

The purpose of this Order is to implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) throughout the General Services Administration (GSA). 

Background: 

This directive establishes policy and responsibilities for GSA’s implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. §794d) (hereinafter “Section 508”); Part 1193 and 1194 of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); Subpart 39.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and associated regulations; and Section 508 Standards set by the United States Access Board.

Related provisions of the Rehabilitation Act include Section 501 (29 U.S.C. §791), which prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the federal sector, and Section 504 (29 U.S.C. §794), which prohibits federal executive agencies, programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance such as grants from discriminating based on a disability.

Applicability: 

1. The provisions of this Order are applicable to all GSA employees involved in the design, development, procurement, management, or use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to include information technology and other equipment, systems, technologies, or processes for which the principal function is the creation, manipulation, storage, display, receipt, or transmission of electronic data and information, as well as any associated content.
2. This Order applies to all GSA Services, Staff Offices, and Regional Offices (S/SO/R), regardless of whether they employ individuals with disabilities or not.
3. This Order applies to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to the extent that the OIG determines this Order is consistent with the OIG’s independent authority under the IG Act and it does not conflict with other OIG policies or the OIG mission.
4. This Order applies to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) to the extent that the CBCA determines it is consistent with the CBCA’s independent authority under the Contract Disputes Act and other authorities and it does not conflict with the CBCA’s policies or the CBCA mission.
5. This Order applies to the Government-wide Policy (OGP) to the extent that the OGP determines it is consistent with the OGP’s independent authorities and it does not conflict with the OGP’s policies or the OGP’s mission.

Cancellation: 

1. This Order supersedes and cancels CIO 2105.1D CHGE 1 GSA Section 508: Managing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Individuals with Disabilities, dated January 7, 2019.
2. This Order supersedes and cancels CIO 2105.1C CHGE 1 GSA Section 508: Managing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Individuals with Disabilities, dated August 20, 2015.
3. This Order supersedes and cancels CIO 2105.2 P GSA Section 508 Procedures Handbook, dated December 16, 2009.

Summary of Changes: 

1. This CIO Directive was closely aligned with Statutory requirements,
2. Streamlined information in this document,
3. Updated Point Of Contacts (POCs),
4. Updated References and/or URLs,
5. Used plain language as much as possible.