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Section 508 Technical Reference Guide
Handbook AS-508-A September 2004
Transmittal Letter
A. Purpose. Using technology to enhance value is an integral part of the Postal ServiceTM's Transformation Plan. As we increase our reliance on electronic information systems to help us manage information and costs, improve service, and carry out our mission more efficiently, we have an even greater responsibility to provide full access for our customers, our employees, and those with whom we do business. This handbook provides the tools to help each of us do that. All functional organizations should use the information in this handbook to understand, achieve, and maintain Section 508 compliance. By achieving the goals of this law, we fulfill our mission of binding the nation together in the 21st century.
This is a technical reference guide in support of Handbook AS-508. It breaks out the details of each of the sections of that handbook and how they are tied to the law.
B. Scope. Providing access to electronic forms of Postal Service information, products, and services is both efficient and economic. The techniques in this handbook have an effect on employees, customers, suppliers. and business partners. Given the broad scope of the 508 law and its pervasive impact on information technology, collaborative efforts are needed to successfully achieve organization-wide compliance. Consequently, the audience for this handbook spans the entire corporation. Although managers of functional organizations within the Postal Service have direct responsibility for the conformance of their area, the coordinated efforts of cross-functional teams are vital to realize the mandates of the Section 508 law.
C. Availability. This handbook is available online and may be accessed both from the Internet and from the Postal Service Intranet.
From the usps.com homepage, click on All Products & Services, then on Publications, then on Postal Periodicals and Publications. Choose Handbooks.
It is also available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Intranet Web site:
• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.
• Under "References" in the right-hand column, PolicyNet - Text.
D. Comments and Questions. Send comments via email to: section508@email.usps.com. Use "AS-508" in header.
E. Effective Date. This handbook is effective immediately.
Robert L. Otto
Vice President
Information Technology