Release of Fiscal_Year 2008 Section 508 Awareness Computer-Based Training (CBT); DD: 09/30/2008

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

July 31, 2008

In Reply Refer To:
1261(560/570) P

EMS TRANMISSION 08/01/2008
Instruction Memorandum No. 2008-162
Expires: 09/30/2009

To: ADs, SDs, and CDs
Attn: CFO, Procurement Chiefs, and State CIOs

From: Assistant Director, Information Resources Management

Subject: Release of Fiscal_Year 2008 Section 508 Awareness Computer-Based Training (CBT) DD: 09/30/2008

Program Area: Section 508, Accessibility of Information Technology (IT) Investments

Purpose: The purpose of this Instruction Memorandum (IM) is to announce the release
of the 2008 CBT module entitled “Section 508 Awareness.”

Policy/Action: Under Section 508 of the United States Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Federal
Agencies must ensure that IT investments are accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities. Ensuring Section 508 compliance within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requires the coordination of all Chief Acquisition Officers (CAOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) involved in the purchasing of IT investments. The Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has released a new CBT module entitled “Section 508 Awareness.” (See attachment entitled “Release of New Section 508 Awareness Computer Based Training (CBT).” The Section 508 Awareness training, developed by the OCIO, is available through DOI Learn. All personnel involved in the acquisition process of Electronic and IT investments are required to complete the training titled, “Section 508 Awareness” by September 30, 2008.

Section 508 Awareness training is important to facilitate understanding of the requirements that agencies face to meet the President’s New Freedom Initiative. On February 1, 2001, President Bush announced the New Freedom Initiative - a comprehensive program to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society by increasing access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and promoting increased access into daily community life. Therefore, it is vital to the BLM that managers encourage the completion of the training module to ensure that we meet the statutory

Section 508 requirements. The training applies specifically to CIOs, the Chief Financial Officers
(CFOs), Section 508 Coordinators, Contracting Officers, Contracting Officers Technical
Representatives (COTRs), Acquisition Managers, Human Resources Representatives, IT
Managers, Training Managers, Scientists, employees and contractors involved in the acquisition
process. It is the responsibility of state CIOs to identify specific individuals and track their
completion of this training.

Completion of the CBT should take approximately 1 hour. The training is provided
online via DOI Learn for those individuals with Internet access. The training will also be
provided via Compact Disk (CD) for those individuals without Internet access. State/Center
Section 508 Coordinators are responsible for working with their respective DOI Learn Managers to track completion percentages and to modify the scope of bureau/office personnel required to complete the training.

Timeframe: This guidance is effective immediately. All the aforementioned employees must complete the training by September 30, 2008.

Budget Impact: There is a minimal cost to some program areas as time to complete Section 508 training will take time away from other efforts.

Background: The DOI is promoting completion of the “Section 508 Awareness”
training, for all the aforementioned individuals, as a means of ensuring that agencies
meet the mandated requirements of the Act. By encouraging employees to complete this
training initiative, the BLM will assume a leadership role in this area and become known as a
member of the best practice community. Section 508 is a story of inclusion and protection for all
Americans that ensures that everyone will have accessible IT equipment and be able to live a
full and productive lifestyle. This IM serves as a reminder to IT and acquisition workforce
personnel of their collaborative roles in meeting Section 508 requirements.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: There are no manuals or handbooks affected by this IM.

Coordination: The Business Technology and Alignment Directorate (WO-570), the IRM Governance Directorate (WO-560), and the Investment Management Directorate (WO-550) jointly collaborated on this IM.
Contact: If you have any questions, please contact the BLM Section 508 Coordinator, Ms. Laura F. Bell, at (202) 452-5013.

Signed by: Authenticated by:
Scott E. MacPherson Robert M. Williams
Acting Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Information Resources Management

1 Attachment
1 - Release of New Section 508 Awareness Computer Based Training (CBT) (7 pp)