Coast Guard Working 508 Compliance Before Dittman Post
On December 27th 2008 Robert Dittman a blind Coast Guard Auxiliarist posted a comment on Admiral Allens Blog concerning Section 508 Compliance. We posted Blind Coast Guard Auxiliarist Helps Coast Guard See:
Robert Dittman, a blind Coast Guard Auxiliarist contacted Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen on the issues he hand possibly others are having with direct access to iCommandant. Adm. Allen has provided an immediate fix by posting an e-mail address that can be used by those experiencing similar problems with access.
Just 4 days earlier on 23 December 2008, Rear Admiral Mary Landry signed out ALCAOST 623/08 on Coast Guard Public Affairs Pier Site 508 Compliance. Landry says this in the message
NOT ONLY IS 508 COMPLIANCE THE LAW, IT ENSURES THOSE WHO USE COMPUTER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES CAN ACCESS PUBLIC INFORMATION. AS PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATORS, WE MUST ENSURE OUR SERVICES INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO ALL CITIZENS. IN ADDITION, REPEATED 508 VIOLATIONS ON CG WEB SITES RESULT IN DHS ERROR REPORTS AND JEOPARDIZE OUR ABILITY TO USE THE PIER SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS WORK IN THE FUTURE.
It appears Coast Guard was working this issue well before Mr. Dittman left his comment on the Admirals Blog.
The Office of Civil Rights is responsible for ensuring that the CG is 508 compliant. This is significant because applicants for employment are affected…. the disability community has the highest unemployment rates and the federal government is supposed to be working hard at hiring qualified individuals with disabilities [they set goals for this purpose in MD715]. Not being 508 compliant has an adverse impact on these individuals. If you look at what’s gone on CG Civil Rights, not much attention has been paid to the community since April 2006. I can’t recall one article in her newsletter or any initiative started by OOH to help people with disabilities. Once again, by ignoring something like 508 compliance, CG is out there on the limb.