USAB Assists Federal Agencies with Accessibility
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Under Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workforce, federal agencies must ensure that their workplaces are fully accessible to all employees, including those with disabilities. To assist agencies in promoting and enhancing accessibility in their DEIA Strategic Plans, the US Access Board (USAB) has developed a set of recommendations and resources, which is available on its DEIA webpage.
The recommendations and resources include information for federal employees to file an Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) complaint if they experience barriers in accessing federal facilities, tips on workplace accessibility practices, and links to accessibility guides, upcoming and archived webinars, and technical assistance contact information. Information on resources available about Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for ensuring access to information and communication technology, such as computer hardware and software and agency websites, are also provided.
The USAB has developed this set of recommendations and resources to aid agencies in drafting the portions of their strategic plans required under Executive Order 14035 (EO-14035) dealing with accessibility. Key elements of EO-14035 are:
As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal Government must be a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.
The Federal Government's recruitment policies should “endeavor to achieve a work force from all segments of society”.
The head of each federal agency shall make advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility a priority component of the agency's management agenda and agency strategic planning.
The Chair of the EEOC, shall coordinate a Government-wide initiative to strengthen partnerships (Partnerships Initiative) to facilitate recruitment for Federal employment opportunities of individuals who are members of underserved communities.