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ARTICLE · 30 JULY 2001

Web Accessibility

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

A US federal law, "Section 508" taking effect June 21 2001, promises to make major commercial hardware and software products, as well as federal government websites, more accessible to users with disabilities.

Section 508 was passed in 1998 and requires the federal government to purchase computers, software, and electronic equipment that meet new standards for accessibility. Any "electronic technology" developed, used or maintained by the government must also meet the new standards. In other words, the new requirements also apply to the federal government's millions of publicly accessible Web pages.

The new standards are designed to prevent web designs that depend too much on one sense, such as sight or hearing so that those who are blind or deaf will still be able to access the Internet.

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