With the Accessibility Solutions Group Custom Accessible Products & Solutions Team’s (AKA CAPS) experience, knowledge and support there is nothing our team can’t help you accommodate and make your written message accessible….our team of experts in accessible formats will help you meet your 504 and 508 compliance…and most important make your written message accessible to a print disadvantaged population. In addition we become your one-stop-shop for full accessibility production and compliance.

DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS – section 504 and 508:

What Is Section 504? Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These organizations and employers include many hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers and human service programs. Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.

What is Section 508? “Section 508 establishes requirements for electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government. Section 508 requires Federal electronic and information technology to be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. An accessible information technology system is one that can be operated in a variety of ways and does not rely on a single sense or ability of the user. For example, a system that provides output only in visual format may not be accessible to people with visual impairments, and a system that provides output only in audio format may not be accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some individuals with disabilities may need accessibility-related software or peripheral devices in order to use systems that comply with Section 508.”

What are these accommodations people talk about? Accommodations allow people with learning disabilities to access the printed word and do not alter the written content, they just make it possible for the print disabled to access your message in a format that they are comfortable with. When you consider that over 20% of the population is print disabled you are making your voice heard by a large audience and allowing them equal access to information and they are now on par with the general population. Also consider that by providing these accommodations you are reaching a broader market which can increase your market share. 

Here are some examples of possible 504 and 508 accommodations for you to consider:

• Provide on audio CD
• Provide in large print o Provide a designated reader
• Provide in Braille/Tactile format
• Provide in Bilingual format
• Provide in Foreign Language format
• Provide PDF/WORD/HTML Accessibility
• Provide Web Accessibility
• Provide on line with Text to Speech
• Provide Video/Media Accessibility
• Accessibility Consulting

For additional information please contact:

Bernice B Shapiro; National Program Director, Accessibility Solutions Group, LLC
240-778-5769(C) 301-564-6048(O)

Email: berniceshapiro@accessibility-solutions-group.com

A portion of all net profits will help make educational success possible for students with visual, physical and learning disabilities, supporting more than the 2 million people who struggle with some form of learning disabilities.