Compaq is the first computer manufacturer to list its product information online for customers in the Federal government seeking information on accessible technology.
A link between Buy Accessible and Compaq's accessibility page allows federal procurement staff the ability to view the detailed product descriptions and accessibility features of Compaq products like Compaq Evo desktops, portables, workstations and thin clients, iPAQ desktops and pocket PCs, Compaq monitors and microportable projectors, and software products.
"Compaq is proud to be the first company to list its product information on the Buy Accessible Web site," said Michael Takemura, director of the Accessibility Program Office, Compaq Computer Corporation. "Availability of our product information on Buy Accessible is a major step forward in showing our customers that Compaq provides access anytime, anywhere, to anyone."
Buy Accessible represents a partnership between the Federal government and corporations like Compaq to provide services to federal procurement staff members seeking information on accessible products. Section 508 Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) guidance advises government agencies to perform due diligence in conducting market research to purchase electronic information technology (EIT) products that are accessible to people with disabilities.
"The Buy Accessible Web site is the successful result of a continuing partnership between government and industry," said Terry Weaver, director, Office of Information Technology, U.S. General Services Administration. "Buy Accessible should provide tremendous benefits for procurement staff in being able to research products from Compaq and other manufacturers of IT products and services, in an effort to conduct thorough market research for EIT purchases."
Compaq has been actively involved with industry organizations and the Federal government in developing an Internet-based template to assist Federal agencies with their Section 508 market research. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendment of 1998 requires Federal agencies to procure, maintain, use or develop EIT that is accessible to people with disabilities--comparable to accessibility for people without disabilities.
Earlier this year, Compaq announced the creation of an Accessibility Program Office to address the computing needs of people with disabilities, a community that has grown to more than 54 million in the U.S. and more than 750 million worldwide. The Program Office guides the integration of accessibility in Compaq product design, engineering, product development, documentation, information on Compaq Web sites, and services and support.