WRD Guidance for Applying the Undue Burden Waiver for Dynamically
Generated Geospatial Database and Web Mapping Applications Web Pages
This e-mail is being sent to all Water Resources personnel identified as
being involved in the oversight, or creation of, Web-based products which
result in a map, a dynamically generated time-series graph, or other
graphic display. Please forward this information to others as you see fit.
In Reply Refer To:
Office of Information
Mail Stop 440
Sunset Date: May 2002
May 31, 2002
WATER RESOURCES DISCIPLINE POLICY MEMORANDUM NO. 2002.03
Subject: WRD Guidance for Applying the Undue Burden Waiver for Dynamically
Generated Geospatial Database and Web Mapping Applications Web Pages
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, became effective June
21, 2001. The goal of this amendment is to eliminate barriers that people
with disabilities encounter when using electronic and information
technology by creating technical standards and procurement regulations
that will allow comparable access for everyone. Section 508 requires that
all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained,
and used by any Federal agency be accessible to everyone seeking
information, unless there is an undue burden in doing that. If an undue
burden has been determined, it is still the responsibility of the bureau
to provide alternative access to the information. "Electronic and
information technology" encompasses Web pages, products, and
application-based services.
Certain types of online applications (for example, time-series graphs and
Web mapping services that display dynamically generated Web maps by using
ArcIMS, ArcView IMS, MapObjects, MapInfo, and Blue Marble) cannot be made
fully accessible with currently available technologies. In these cases,
an undue burden form must be signed and a statement regarding alternative
access must be placed on the Web page. In such cases, information and
services provided through such mechanisms must still be made available via
alternative, accessible mechanisms. These mechanisms may include
different delivery procedures or formats, or provision of direct customer
support.
Please ensure that the following Web development guidelines have been
followed and that the site has been appropriately reviewed through the
District approval process before claiming the undue burden:
http://www.usgs.gov:8888/guidelines/usgs.webguide.html
There is also a document checklist available:
http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/www/webmaster/policy/checklist.html
When it is appropriate to claim an undue burden, Web pages that cannot be
made accessible due to the technology used, should:
1. Reference and link to the undue burden waiver, that is signed by
the Associate Director, Water, and posted online at
/undue_burden
2. Add the following statement: "If you cannot fully access the
information on this page, please contact [insert e-mail address or alias
of content provider or person who can most appropriately provide the
information in an alternative format]."
3. Send an e-mail describing the Web page that necessitates the
undue burden to the USGS Section 508 Coordinator, Amy Berger,
aberger@usgs.gov, and the ArcIMS contact, Jacque Coles, jdcoles@usgs.gov.
For more information contact, Lorna Schmid, h2oteam@usgs.gov,
703-648-6834.
Stephen F. Blanchard
Acting Chief, Office of Information
Attachment
Distribution: GS-W A
GS-W B
GS-W DC
GS-W Webmasters
GS-W ArcIMS
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Steve Blanchard Acting Chief, Office of Information
U.S. Geological Survey Phone: 703-648-5629
440 National Center Fax: 703-648-5644
Reston, VA 20192 Cell: 571-216-1423
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