Background
On March 1, 2005, Maryland’s Information Technology Nonvisual Access (MD IT NVA) regulatory standards became effective (link to
COMAR 14.33.02.01-.11). This web site provides assistance to non-exempt units of the Executive Branch in complying with the MD IT NVA regulatory standards, and guidance on the general requirements and responsibilities applicable to ensuring that information technologies are compliant with the regulatory requirements for nonvisual access.
Guidance
Compliance with the standards is mandatory in the procurement of information technologies, and the provision of information technology services, by or on behalf of all units and public institutions of higher education in the Executive Branch of State government, with the exception of:
- The Maryland Port Administration;
- Public institutions of higher education in the management, development, purchase, or use of information technologies solely for academic or research purposes;
- The University System of Maryland;
- St. Mary's College of Maryland; and
- Morgan State University.
In short, except for information technologies incidental to performing under a contract, where technologies simply do not exist, or compliance is cost prohibitive, all information technologies, that are procured, used, maintained, developed or provided by or on behalf of non-exempt units of the Executive Branch of State government must be nonvisually accessible as established in the MD IT NVA regulations. If a procurement for IT is not subject to an applicable exception, the solicitation must include the State's Nonvisual Access Clause (SF&P 3.5-311)
In developing the MD IT NVA regulations, the State has adopted or paraphrased many, but not all, of the federal regulations commonly referred to as Section 508*. In addition, Maryland has adopted several IT NVA regulations that are not found in federal regulations.
* Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) (August 7, 1998). See also 36 CFR Part 1194.
Applicable Law & Other Policy
Key Terms
Contact Information
Andrew Drummond, Director of Accessibility at the Department of Information Technology at
andrew.drummond2@maryland.gov.