Deploying accessible IT products provides the opportunity for people with or without disabilities to access and use those products. Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that the Web sites of federal agencies and all electronic and information technology (EIT) developed or purchased by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities. The statutory language of Section 508 can be found at www.section508.gov . Section 508 generally requires Federal agencies to ensure that, when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, they take into account the needs of all end users – including people with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. The purpose of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is to assist Federal contracting officials and other buyers in their market research responsibility when making preliminary assessments regarding the commercial availability of Electronic and Information Technology products and services with features that support accessibility. In general, Vendors should generate a VPAT whenever they develop EIT products or services that are to be sold in the Federal market place. In each VPAT, the vendor is expected to make specific statements using simple recommended language about how the features and functional characteristics of their product or service meet the Section 508 Standards. There are many benefits to deploying IT products that meet Section 508 Standards, including attracting a wider range of IT customers, achieving cost savings, and innovation through inclusion. Find more about the benefits of integrating accessible technologies at: https://www.section508.gov/content/benefits-accessible-design The VPAT documents provided by Cisco for Prime Service Catalog 12.0 and Process Orchestrator are attached, showing both products conform to the applicable Section 508 criteria.
... View more
