Virginia Law

Information Technology Access Act

A. The General Assembly finds that (i) the advent of the information age throughout the United States and around the world has resulted in lasting changes in information technology; (ii) use of interactive visual display terminals by state and state-assisted organizations is becoming a widespread means of access for employees and the public to obtain information available electronically, but nonvisual access, whether by speech, Braille, or other appropriate means has been overlooked in purchasing and deploying the latest information technology; (iii) presentation of electronic data solely in a visual format is a barrier to access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, preventing them from participating on equal terms in crucial areas of life, such as education and employment; (iv) alternatives, including both software and hardware adaptations, have been created so that interactive control of computers and use of the information presented is possible by both visual and nonvisual means; and (v) the goals of the state in obtaining and deploying the most advanced forms of information technology properly include universal access so that the segments of society with particular needs (including individuals unable to use visual displays) will not be left out of the information age.

B. It is the policy of the Commonwealth that all covered entities shall conduct themselves in accordance with the following principles: (i) individuals who are blind or visually impaired have the right to full participation in the life of the Commonwealth, including the use of advanced technology that is provided by such covered entities for use by employees, program participants, and members of the general public, and (ii) technology purchased in whole or in part with funds provided by the Commonwealth to be used for the creation, storage, retrieval, or dissemination of information and intended for use by employees, program participants, and members of the general public shall be adaptable for access by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The implementation of nonvisual access technology under this chapter shall be determined on a case-by-case basis as the need arises.

1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-807; 2001, c. 844.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Access" means the ability to receive, use, and manipulate data and operate controls included in information technology.

"Blind" or "visually impaired" individual means an individual who has: (i) a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses or has a limited field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees; (ii) a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration; or (iii) a medically diagnosed limitation in visual functioning that restricts the individual's ability to read and write standard print at levels expected of individuals of comparable ability.

"Covered entity" means all state agencies, public institutions of higher education, and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth.

"Information technology" means all electronic information processing hardware and software, including telecommunications.

"Nonvisual" means synthesized speech, Braille, and other output methods not requiring sight.

"Public broadcasting services" means the acquisition, production, and distribution by public broadcasting stations of noncommercial educational, instructional, informational, or cultural television and radio programs and information that may be transmitted by means of electronic communications, and related materials and services provided by such stations.

"Telecommunications" means the transmission of information, images, pictures, voice, or data by radio, video, or other electronic or impulse means, but does not include public broadcasting.

1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-808; 2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2016, c. 296.

In general, the head of each covered entity shall ensure that information technology equipment and software used by blind or visually impaired employees, program participants, or members of the general public (i) provide access (including interactive use of the equipment and services) that is equivalent to that provided to individuals who are not blind or visually impaired; (ii) are designed to present information (including prompts used for interactive communications) in formats adaptable to both visual and nonvisual use; and (iii) have been purchased under a contract that includes the technology access clause required pursuant to § 2.2-3503.

1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-809; 2001, c. 844.

A. The technology access clause specified in clause (iii) of § 2.2-3502 shall be developed by the Secretary of Administration and shall require compliance with the nonvisual access standards established in subsection B. The clause shall be included in all future contracts for the procurement of information technology by, or for the use of, entities covered by this chapter on or after the effective date of this chapter.

B. At a minimum, the nonvisual access standards shall include the following: (i) the effective, interactive control and use of the technology (including the operating system), applications programs, and format of the data presented, shall be readily achievable by nonvisual means; (ii) the technology equipped for nonvisual access shall be compatible with information technology used by other individuals with whom the blind or visually impaired individual interacts; (iii) nonvisual access technology shall be integrated into networks used to share communications among employees, program participants, and the public; and (iv) the technology for nonvisual access shall have the capability of providing equivalent access by nonvisual means to telecommunications or other interconnected network services used by persons who are not blind or visually impaired. A covered entity may stipulate additional specifications in any procurement.

Compliance with the nonvisual access standards shall not be required if the head of a covered entity determines that (a) the information technology is not available with nonvisual access because the essential elements of the information technology are visual and (b) nonvisual equivalence is not available.

1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-810; 2001, c. 844; 2020, c. 738.

A. The head of any covered entity may, with respect to nonvisual access software or peripheral devices, approve the exclusion of the technology access clause only to the extent that the cost of the software or devices for the covered entity would increase the total cost of the procurement by more than five percent. All exclusions of the technology access clause from any contract shall be reported annually to the Secretary of Administration.

B. The acquisition and installation of hardware, software, or peripheral devices used for nonvisual access when the information technology is being used exclusively by individuals who are not blind or visually impaired shall not be required.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, the applications programs and underlying operating systems (including the format of the data) used for the manipulation and presentation of information shall permit the installation and effective use of nonvisual access software and peripheral devices.

1999, cc. 769, 773, § 2.1-811; 2001, c. 844; 2020, c. 738.