The City of Suffolk, VA has established an Accessibility Policy that requires Web pages appearing as part of the City of Suffolk, VA Web site (www.suffolk.va.us) to be accessible. Accordingly, the Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has implemented an Accessibility Action Plan to address accessibility requirements per Section 508 Standards - Subpart B - Technical Standards - §1194.22 Web-based intranet and Internet information and applications.

The Accessibility Action Plan outlines the processes by which the Web Services Division intends to achieve accessibility throughout the Web site. As we progress with our efforts toward compliance, this will continue to be an active document. For additional information regarding our accessibility initiatives, please contact the Web Services Division of the Department of Communications.

As of 12/04: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Assessed current accessibility levels and is in the process of identifying specific areas requiring modification
• Established the order of priority by which we will revise existing Web pages to achieve adequate accessibility
• Ensured that all new and modified Web pages are accessible
• Provided alternate means for users with disabilities to request and/or obtain information or services
• Been continuing our efforts to enlist disability groups to periodically test various Web pages and services for accessibility and ease of use

As of 03/05: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Identified the areas of the Web site requiring modification for accessibility compliance
• Divided the sixteen (Section 508 Standards - Subpart B - Technical Standards - §1194.22 Web-based intranet and Internet information and applications. Items A through P) "Priority 1" items required for "Level A" conformance to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 into four groups of four and assigned each group a phase (Phases I - IV) during which the Web Services Division will ensure Web site conformance to four of the sixteen required items by the corresponding deadline
• Progressed with our efforts to enlist disability groups to periodically test various Web pages and services for accessibility and ease of use

As of 06/05: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Started addressing the 4 items identified in Phase I to achieve a satisfactory level of compliance throughout the Web site by the anticipated deadline

As of 12/05: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Completed Phase I and has moved on to the 4 items identified in Phase II to achieve a satisfactory level of compliance throughout the Web site by the anticipated deadline

As of 03/06: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Completed Phases I and II and are working on compliance with Phase III items by the anticipated deadline

As of 09/06: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Completed Phases I and II and are still working on item (o) of Phase III. Although Phase III has not been completed as scheduled, we will move forward with the items in Phase IV and attempt to be in complete compliance by September 2007

As of 06/07: The Web Services Division of the Department of Communications has:
• Completed Phases I, II and III and are looking into the best means to reach compliance with the items in Phase IV. We are unsure if we have the internal resources to complete the work required by the September 2007 deadline, so we are considering external assistance with the project.