Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2002
Contact: (202) 268-2155
Release No. 02-044
First Anniversary Of 508 Compliance Effective Date Shows Postal Service On Right Track
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A senior official with the government entity that maintains more day-to-day contact with Americans than any other agency outlined technology initiatives that are making it easier for the 33 million Americans with disabilities to do business with their Postal Service.
Today over a fifth of Americans aged 45 to 54 have a disability. By age 75, almost two-thirds will have a disability. Forty-seven thousand Americans with disabilities work for the Postal Service.
Vice President, Information Technology, Robert Otto, detailed to the Board of Governors that activities the organization has taken to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act are "the right thing to do."
"Imagine what it would be like if you couldn't see a computer screen or use the telephone," Otto explained. "These are very real challenges for our employees and customers with disabilities. While information technology has revolutionized our society; at the same time it has created barriers for people with disabilities."
Section 508 of the Act established a set of standards for making electronic information technology accessible to individuals with disabilities. The law applies to all federal agencies and contains standards that became enforceable in June, 2001. Even though the focus of the law has been on newly purchased information technology systems, the Postal Service made a decision to improve accessibility to existing systems wherever feasible.
"The idea behind this law is to create a level playing field where individuals with hearing, vision, and mobility disabilities - both employees and the general public - encounter no barriers to using technology," he explained.
Otto said Individuals with disabilities are often confronted with barriers to accessing information from information technology systems. By designing information systems such as computers, web pages, videos, and telephone systems that remove these barriers, employees and customers with disabilities can have access to the information and data they need to conduct business for and with the Postal Service.
The hurdle from physical to technology barriers
Otto said that it took several years to meet the challenge of removing physical barriers from postal buildings. But over time, wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms and other services were put in place in more than 30,000 facilities.
"Similarly," he added, "it will take time to finish the challenge of removing technology barriers."
Today, Postal Service desktop and laptop computers accommodate equipment and software that enables accessibility. Over the past two years, the Postal Service has enabled individuals with disabilities using "assistive technology" -- such as software that converts text to speech -- to visit www.usps.com and:
- listen to instructions on how to buy stamps, find ZIP Codes, calculate postage and conduct virtually any other transaction in this cyberspace post office that never closes.
- hear text from tens of thousands of pages of electronic publications on everything from learning proper addressing techniques, to tracking individual mail pieces traveling through the mail stream, to preparing and depositing a 100,000 piece bulk mailing anywhere within the nationwide postal network.
Enhancements have gone beyond the web.
- For Americans with hearing disabilities, the Postal Service Call Center information line is accessible via teletype, 1-877-877-7833.
- Subtitles are now included on all employee training videos and as part of broadcasts from the Postal Service's internal employee television news network.
- To continue this commitment the Postal Service's Purchasing organization requires 508 compliance when purchasing information technology.
"We're proud of what the Postal Service has already achieved in information technology accessibility," Otto said. "These achievements result from the commitment and passion of our employees and managers across the corporation; rather than from a large financial investment."
Continued Focus, Vigilance and Guidance
"Much has been done to implement accessibility. More remains to be done. The Postal Service is committed to ensuring that information technology is not a barrier for postal employees and customers. This requires continued focus, vigilance, and guidance as technology evolves. Section 508 is good for business; and it's the right thing to do!"
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