1. Description of Service
The Information Technology Division (ITD) Assistive Technology Group provides guidance on accessibility requirements and access to the Assistive Technology Lab to all agencies of the Commonwealth based on available resources.
Assistive Technology Lab has "walk-in" hours every Wednesday from 11:00 - 12:00 noon. Prior requests are not required but may help in ensuring lab availability.
This service includes:
- The AT Laboratory boasts an array of high-tech hardware and software, including speech synthesis, voice recognition, video magnification, Braille printers and displays, captioning, video description, alternative communication and other assistive technologies. The full range of supported versions of IT assistive technology components and supported platforms can be found at: Generic Assistive Technology IT Environment List
- Provide assistance to support agency self-audits of agency applications and makes recommendations on how they can be improved to meet recognized accessibility standards.
- Provide guidance on how to create accessible applications, web spaces and information content. In addition, guidance on the acquisition of accessible COTS applications is provided.
- Coordinate the handling of accessibility waiver requests. Collect data and provide assessments and recommendations to ITD Legal and the Massachusetts Office of Disabilities (MOD). Track conditions of granted waivers for compliance.
Please note: The waiver process is dictated by Enterprise IT Accessibility Standards
Support services include:
- A Service Account Manager to answer any questions or concerns regarding ITD Services.
- Services offered through our Operations Office; including Change Management and customer access to incident management via email, phone (CommonHelp)
- The online COMiT service management portal
2. Service Targets/Hours of Availability
The primary goal of ATS is to support compliance with the Commonwealth's accessibility standards by providing practical information in support of procurements and development projects and maintaining a testing facility.
Service Requirement | Description |
Service Availability | Service availability hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday excluding holidays. |
3. Service Reporting
The following reporting information is provided to customers as part of this service:
Report | Description | Reporting Interval |
Waiver Request Status Report | Information tracking the progress of waiver requests. | Available on the Wiki |
4. Service Requests
Description | Lead Time-Business Days | |
Consulting and Support
| This service request includes consulting and support for Assistive Technology services.
| Services are based on available resources |
Lab Facility Assistance | This service request includes reserving time in the AT Lab, and requesting help in using specialized software and equipment. Note: Lab has walk-in hours on Wednesday from 11:00 - 12:00 noon. Prior requests are not needed but are helpful. | Services are based on available resources |
Waiver Request | This service request includes receiving and evaluating accessibility waiver requests, tracking activities through ITD Legal, MOD, and the CIO, and monitoring for compliance of conditions imposed on granted waivers. Note: Waiver process is dictated by the Enterprise IT Accessibility Standards | Services are based on available resources |
*For new service requests only. To manage existing requests, please log into COMiT.
5. Customer Responsibilities
Customer responsibilities are to ensure all applications, web spaces and information content they implement satisfy the usability requirements of all personnel within their organization.
For your convenience, you may also view a
assistive_tech_services_definition.doc
.
6. Chargeback Rate Information
For more information on Chargeback, including an overview of the program as well as previous fiscal year rates, please visit our Chargeback Services webpage.
The costs pertaining to this service are offered free of charge by ITD. This is to ensure that customers are able to utilize these services as needed. No additional detail is available for review.
Updated September 13, 2012
Reviewed September 13, 2010
Published August 14, 2009
Created April 10, 2009: Information provided by the Assistive Technology Team