Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - Frequently Asked Questions

C.1. - Who within the agency is responsible for ensuring EIT purchases comply with Section 508?

Acquisition of EIT that meets the applicable technical provisions of the Access Board’s standards is the shared responsibility of requiring activity officials and contracting officials.

• Requiring activity officials (i.e., officials in the program office or organization that is funding and acquiring the EIT) are responsible for:

  • Identifying applicable technical provisions of the Access Board’s standards in their requirements documents (see FAR 11.002 and section B.2.ii, above);

  • determining and documenting whether an exception applies; conducting market research to identify what products, if any, are available to meet those provisions;

  • drafting specifications; and

  • documenting nonavailability and undue burden determinations.

• It is expected that agencies will designate requiring activity officials in their organizations to carry out these responsibilities at an appropriately accountable level.

• Contracting officials are expected to pursue effective acquisition strategies for acquiring EIT.

Thus, successful implementation of Section 508 requires the cooperation and coordination of requirements and contracting officials within the agency.

Each agency has a Section 508 Coordinator. This person is often someone in the Chief Information Officer’s office. He or she can provide additional information on agency procedures and the steps being taken within his or her agency to implement Section 508. For more information, see Agency Section 508 Coordinator List.