Improving Accessibility at NIH

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Each year, on the third Thursday in May, the world recognizes Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This year, GAAD highlighted the importance of digital access for people with disabilities. Founded in 2012 by accessibility advocates Joe Devon and Jennison Asuncion, GAAD encourages individuals and organizations to consider how technology impacts people of all abilities and take meaningful steps toward building more accessible digital environments.

At NIH, GAAD reaffirmed our commitment to accessibility in both physical and digital spaces. The NIH Section 508 Office plays a key role in this ongoing effort by ensuring NIH websites, applications and electronic documents meet federal accessibility standards. Employees planning to launch intranet pages, digital forms or virtual training models are encouraged to consult with the 508 Office early in their process to ensure accessibility is considered from the start.

An example of the 508 Office at work is their regular review of internal training materials. The team ensures materials are compatible with screen readers and include accurate captions, alt text and logical tab navigation. These continuous efforts ensure that all employees benefit from NIH’s e-learning platforms. 

The NIH Assistive Technology Suite also supports this mission by providing hands-on access to a variety of supportive tools, including screen readers, magnifiers, speech-to-text software, alternative keyboards and ergonomic equipment tailored to individual needs. To help employees make the most of these resources, staff can schedule an appointment for an ergonomic assessment, assistive technology recommendations or help in identifying appropriate accommodations. This service is available for those experiencing challenges with workstation setup, visual access, physical limitations or other barriers to perform effective work. To learn more and request an appointment, email eeo.accessibility@nih.gov.

As we reflect on GAAD, remember NIH can help you explore accessibility resources and take proactive steps in creating a more usable, barrier-free workplace. 

For questions related to Section 508, email nihsection508help@od.nih.gov. For broader accessibility concerns across NIH facilities or systems, contact eeo.accessibility@nih.gov.