Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5230.60A
DEFINITIONS
1. Accessible - The dictionary definition of accessible can lead to subjective interpretations. In
order to provide an objective and enforceable measure of the term "accessible" in the context of
this rule, accessible means "conforming to the provisions of the Access Board's standards." For
details of the provisions of the Access Board's EIT standards see Enclosure (3) of this directive.
2. Access Board - An independent agency responsible for developing the standards referred to in
Section 508.
3. Agency Agency means an executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. Section 105.
4. Alternate formats - Alternate formats usable by people with disabilities may include, but are
not limited to, Braille, ASCII text, large print, recorded audio and electronic formats that
conform to the provisions of the standards.
5. Alternate methods - Alternate methods are different means of providing information, including
product documentation, to people with disabilities. Alternate methods may include, but are not
and audio description.
6. Assistive technology - Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired
commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
7. Disability - A physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in a substantial
impediment to employment or substantially limits one or more major life activities.
8. Electronic and information technology (EIT) - The Access Board defined information
technology (IT) consistent with the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 as "any equipment or
interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition,
storage, manipulation, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or
reception of data or information." The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 2.101) expanded
IT to include "electronic." EIT has the same meaning as IT, but also includes "any equipment
or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion or
duplication of data or information." EIT includes, but is not limited to, computers, software,
telecommunications products (such as telephones), information kiosks and transaction machines,
web sites, video productions and multimedia, and office equipment such as copiers and fax
machines." (The term does not include any equipment that contains embedded information
technology that is used as an integral part of the product, but the principal function of which is
not the acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching,
interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information. For example, heating, ventilation,
and air-conditioning equipment such as thermostats or temperature control devices, and medical
equipment where information technology is integral to its operation, are not considered to be
information technology.)
Previous Page
