Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies’ electronic and information technology (IT) to be accessible to individuals with disabilities.  It specifically requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they ensure that it is accessible, unless it would pose an undue burden to do so.  

But the regulations do not apply to the legislative and judicial branches, state and local governments, or the private sector.  If we truly are a government of, for and by the people, then every American must have access to it.  Tomorrow from 9 to 12 noon in the Cannon Caucus Room, the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the Congressional Internet Caucus plan to demonstrate how easy it is to comply with Section 508 in making websites accessible.  

Over the past several months I have worked with the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, Connie Morella, and with Microsoft, Adobe, HIR and the American Foundation for the Blind to find a way to educate Members, their staff and the American public on Section 508 and the importance of making government accessible.  Tomorrow’s “Congressional Web Accessibility Day” will provide this opportunity for everyone to not only learn about the law, but to actually sit down at a computer with an HIR web expert and participating in hands-on, interactive learning.

This event is needed not just for the 54 million individuals with disabilities or for the millions of elderly Americans with diminished vision, hearing and other senses, but for any one of us who might one day need this technology.  It also provides more options for a typical user who may prefer text over fancy graphics.  With 68 million American adults using government agency websites, this typical user is evolving into a powerful “e-citizenship.”

I urge my colleagues to join me, Congresswoman Morella, Chairman Bob Ney, who has been a dedicated partner in this endeavor, Mark Forman from the OMB, otherwise known as the go-to-guy on e-government, and numerous others in learning about web accessibility technology.  Learning how to work with HIR to make your webpage accessible to your constituents is the first step.  I hope that tomorrow’s event will mark the beginning of some exciting, new changes in Congress.  

The time has come for us to make our websites accessible to our growing e-citizenry.  The progress has begun in the federal agencies, and now Congress needs to follow suit.  

Thank you Mr. Speaker.