As the foremost provider of e-information and solutions to the U.S. legal market, West recognizes its responsibility to develop electronic and information technology (EIT) products and services that are accessible and usable by all people, including those with disabilities and special needs.

West is committed to making its products and services compliant with the accessibility standards of Section 508 (Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, 36 C.F.R. § 1194). These regulations implement Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.A. § 794d) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

In accordance with Section 508, West's products and services are designed to comply with the applicable accessibility standards to the maximum extent practicable. For example, as of June 25, 2001, westlaw.com, West's Web-based computer-assisted legal research service, complies with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as the Priority 1 checkpoints from the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0. Text-based browsers, screen readers (such as JAWS and Window-Eyes), Braille terminals and other adaptive devices (e.g., voice recognition software) are able to access information in westlaw.com®. In addition, West provides training, technical and customer support, and documentation as outlined in the federal regulations issued under Section 508.

West praises the efforts of the federal government to make EIT accessible to federal employees and the public. West will work with all of its customers, including government agencies, government requirements officers, procurement officers and other personnel to help the them comply with the new regulations and to promote the procurement of accessible products and services.

Recently, West launched Westlaw® Text Only (http://text.westlaw.com), a text-only interface that optimizes Westlaw accessibility for our customers with visual or mobility impairments. Westlaw Text Only provides a single-frame Westlaw platform that improves performance with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, screen magnifiers and voice recognition software, enabling all legal professionals access to the industry's highest-quality legal information and resources. For more information, visit west.thomson.com/westlaw/textonly.

Upon request, West will provide additional information about the services and accommodations that we make for our customers with disabilities. Please contact West at: west.accessibility@thomson.com to request additional information about West's accessibility efforts.

If you have any comments or questions about West products and accessibility, or the procurement of accessible West products, please send them to west.accessibility@thomson.com.

Learn more about West's accessibility initiatives.