The Accessibility and Language Services (A&LS) Division, formerly known as the Office of Accessible Systems & Technology (OAST), is in the DHS Customer Experience Directorate (CXD). The Division guides and supports all Components in removing barriers to information access. It also supports employment of qualified individuals with disabilities under the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (as amended).
To ensure Department employees and customers with disabilities have equal access to usable and meaningful information, A&LS provides:
- strategic direction
- governance
- technical support
- training
- compliance activities
Additionally, information and communications technology (ICT) procured, developed, maintained, or used by the DHS is accessible to employees and customers with disabilities.
- Policy and program direction
- Governance and activities for enterprise architecture, acquisition reviews, ICT evaluation and testing, as well as change and configuration management
- Remediation monitoring
- Promoting best practices on accessibility and customer experience for full cycle insertion and component program management
- Department Accessibility Help Desk services
- ICT accessibility training
- ICT accessibility testing and remediation services
- Maintaining processes, training, and certification for the Section 508 trusted tester program
- Electronic document accessibility and remediation services
- E-Learning and multimedia accessibility services
- Reasonable Accommodations technology support
The Accessibility Section of the DHS Website provides information on Section 508 testing and training, and how to report a Section 508 related issue or complaint.
Accessibility & Language Services Division (A&LS)
Customer Experience Directorate (CXD)
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Phone: 202-447-0440
Fax: 202-447-0582
E-mail: accessibility@hq.dhs.gov