Section 508
Accessibility
The Secret Service is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities, both members of the public and Federal employees.
To meet this commitment, we will comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from us, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on us.
Section 508 also requires us to ensure that federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on us.
If the format of any material on our web site interferes with your ability to access the information, due to an issue with accessibility caused by a disability as defined in the Rehabilitation Act, please contact us for assistance.
So that we can respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the preferred format you wish to receive the material, the web address (URL) of the material with which you are having difficulty and your contact information.
Section 508 Complaint Processing Procedures
The amendments to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794d, which took effect in 2001, provide that each federal agency must ensure the electronic and information technology it develops, procures, maintains or uses is accessible to individuals with disabilities who are federal employees or applicants, or members of the public seeking information or services from the agency. Section 508 authorizes individuals to file administrative complaints and civil actions against the agency, limited to the alleged failure to procure accessible technology. The statute requires federal agencies to process Section 508 complaints according to the same complaint procedures used to process Section 504 complaints.
If you are a member of the public or an employee or applicant for employment with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the United States Secret Service who has a disability and wish to file a complaint of noncompliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, you may send a signed, written complaint within 180 days of the incident that gave rise to the complaint to the following address:
United States Secret Service
Communications Center (EEO)
ATTN: Section 508 Complaints
245 Murrary Drive S.W., Bldg 410
Washington, D.C. 20223
Your complaint should include sufficient details of the alleged failure to procure accessible technology in compliance with Section 508 that will enable the Office of Equal Opportunity to understand what occurred, where and when it occurred and the responsible Secret Service organization, if known. The Office of Equal Opportunity will investigate your complaint against the Secret Service pursuant to the compliance procedures set forth in 29 U.S.C. 794 d(f)(2). These are the same procedures that DHS uses to process Section 504 complaints.
The Secret Service will investigate your complaints and attempt resolution. If no resolution is achieved, a letter of findings will be issued, notifying you of the results of the investigation. If you disagree with the letter of findings, you will be provided with administrative appeal procedures. If you appeal the letter of findings, DHS will issue a final decision based on the entire record. This decision will set forth the findings, remedial action required, if any, and reasons for the decision.
Alternative Means of Filing a Complaint: The Secret Service will provide appropriate assistance to complainants who may need help in filing their complaint, and will consider complaints filed in alternate forms. For example, a complainant with a disability may file a complaint electronically, by audiotape, in Braille, or in some other format. Electronic complaints should be sent to Equal.Opportunity@usss.dhs.gov. Additionally, oral complaints will be considered if the complainant is unable to write and cannot have someone write out the complaint for him or her. To file a complaint telephonically, complainants should call (202)406-5540 or TTY (202)406-9805.
Plug-In Information
Some content on the www.dhs.gov website may require certain software and/or plug-ins to be viewable. Plug-ins are software that work with your browser to provide capability the browser may not otherwise have. Most software vendors offer versions of their plug-ins for each computer platform type (i.e., Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc...)
For your convenience, we have listed the most common plug-ins that may be used on the Homeland Security site and provided links to the vendor sites where they can be obtained. These links do not indicate an endorsement of the products and are provided merely for convenience. Questions on use or installation should be directed to the respective vendor.
Download plug-ins
Some of the links on this page require a plug-in to view them. Links to the plug-ins are available below.