508 Compliance refers to “Section 508” of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 mandates that electronic and information technology purchased by the Federal Government is accessible by people with disabilities. 508 does not apply to the private sector or agencies and establishments using federal funds. Section 508 delineates enforceable standards and establishes a complaint procedure.
At this time no official government certification program exists for products and services to state they are
Section 508 Compliant. There are no accepted government logos to claim Section 508 Compliance.
Section 508 Compliant. There are no accepted government logos to claim Section 508 Compliance.
Section 508 states 16 specific items which must be addressed in order to claim 508 Compliance:
1. Offer Text Equivalents to Images
2. Present Synchronized Multimedia
3. Remain Independent of Color
4. Stay Independent of Style Sheets
5. Provide Redundant Links for Server-Side Maps
6. Use Client-Side Image Maps
7. Label Row and Column Headers
8. Use the Headers Attribute in Complex Tables
9. Supply Frame Titles (attributes and elements)
10. Reduce Flicker
11. Offer a Text-only Alternative (LAST RESORT)
12. Write Accessible Scripts
13. Specify Accessible Applets and Plug-ins
14. Design Accessible Forms
15. Offer Skip Navigation
16. Alert Users of Timed Responses
2. Present Synchronized Multimedia
3. Remain Independent of Color
4. Stay Independent of Style Sheets
5. Provide Redundant Links for Server-Side Maps
6. Use Client-Side Image Maps
7. Label Row and Column Headers
8. Use the Headers Attribute in Complex Tables
9. Supply Frame Titles (attributes and elements)
10. Reduce Flicker
11. Offer a Text-only Alternative (LAST RESORT)
12. Write Accessible Scripts
13. Specify Accessible Applets and Plug-ins
14. Design Accessible Forms
15. Offer Skip Navigation
16. Alert Users of Timed Responses
On-line Tools and Diagnostic Software
There are various on-line tools and diagnostic software to test your website for 508 Compliance and other levels of accessibility. These are helpful, but can show false positives.
There are various on-line tools and diagnostic software to test your website for 508 Compliance and other levels of accessibility. These are helpful, but can show false positives.
Browser Tools
The Web Developer Toolbar is a powerful extension for Mozilla Firefox which will evaluate some of the 508 Compliance requirements.
The Web Developer Toolbar is a powerful extension for Mozilla Firefox which will evaluate some of the 508 Compliance requirements.
The only true test is the user test.
The only true test for accessibility is with the end user. Having an individual whose primary vehicle for accessing the internet and websites with their screen reader is the best and most accurate test available. Usability is the goal and usability by the user is the ultimate test.
The only true test for accessibility is with the end user. Having an individual whose primary vehicle for accessing the internet and websites with their screen reader is the best and most accurate test available. Usability is the goal and usability by the user is the ultimate test.
