The Social Impact of an Accessible E-Democracy

Abstract

This article examines policy issues related to disability law and the accessibility of the provision of federal electronic government (e-government) information and services. The article first discusses disability discrimination in relation to the on-line environment and examines the history of governmental attitudes toward disability that affect the current state of accessibility of the e-government. Detailing federal disability laws and policies that relate to e-government information and services, the article focuses on the potential impact of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. By chronicling the problems with the implementation of Section 508, the article describes how a fully accessible e-government remains an elusive goal. Finally, the article offers a detailed set of policy suggestions that could be implemented by the federal government to work toward an egalitarian e-government that is fully inclusive of individuals with disabilities.