Technology Accessibility Policy

The Virginia Information Technology Accessibility Standard of November 4, 2005 provides all State agencies with “the minimum accessibility requirements for the procurement, development, or maintenance of electronic and information technology systems.” The standard ensures that people with disabilities, including employees, have access to and use of information and data comparable to the access and use by individuals without disabilities.  All products identified in the standard must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Web based products must comply with WAI WCAG Version 1 Level A requirements.

The following areas of technology are covered by the standards:

• Software Applications and Operating Systems
• Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications
• Telecommunications Products
• Video and Multimedia Products
• Self-Contained, Closed Products
• Desktop and Portable Computers
• Functional Performance Criteria
• Information, Documentation and Support 

Individuals must document compliance with the standard for all products purchased, acquired, or developed after January 4, 2006, and should work towards bringing existing products into compliance. Compliance checklists for each of the areas are available in Appendix C of the Virginia Information Technology Accessibility Standard.

References

• Virginia Information Technology Accessibility Standard: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/docs/psg/AccessibilityStandard_GOV103-00_Eff_11-04-05.pdf  
• VITA Website Policy: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/docs/psg/WebSitePolicy_GOV105-00_Eff_12-08-02.pdf
• VITA Website Standard: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/docs/psg/WebSiteStandard_GOV106-00_Eff_11-04-05.pdf
• VITA Website Guideline: http://www.vita.virginia.gov/docs/psg/WebSiteGuideline_GOV107-00_1Eff_11-04-05.pdf
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)1.0
• Purchasing Policies: eVA Technology Purchases (BRCC Intranet)