Dhs section 508 application test and reporting process. Section 508 requires that when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. For the full text of section 508, please see the official government 508 web site. The section 508 technical standards includeone section aimed at browserbased information web, and another section aimed at native applications and operating systems software. Dhs section 508 compliance test processes homeland security. The section 508 standards refer to an amendment passed in 1998 of the workforce rehabilitation act of 1973. The original section 508 dealt with electronic and information.
Acrobat for accessibility and section 508 training class. The original section 508 dealt with electronic and information technologies, in recognition of the growth of this field. Section 508 the united states congress amended the rehabilitation act in 1998 and 2000 to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology eit products, such as software, hardware, electronic content, and support documentation, accessible to people with disabilities. Gsa section 508 and accessibility what is section 508. Previously, section 508 listed a specific set of accessibility requirements that agencies and schools were required to follow for compliance. However, we are in the process of converting and upgrading these wbt programs to meet current software and industry standards. We conduct all the applicable tests, then identify and suggest section 508 fixes for software applications and web content. Federal laws, including section 508 of the rehabilitation act, mandate that people with disabilities have access to the same information that someone without a disability would have. Dhs section 508 compliance testing tools it explains the installation steps in detail, and important information to help you download the necessary components from the host websites. The following standards are excerpted from section 508 of the rehabilitation act, 1194.
May 06, 2019 official hhs 508 accessibility checklists. An mrtfb is a national asset which is sized, operated, and maintained primarily for dod test and evaluation support missions, but is also available to nondod other federal, nonfederal users having a valid requirement for its capabilities. The revised section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines have significantly changed the way software is addressed in the existing section 508 standards and section 255 guidelines 19982000. Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their ict such as technology, online training and websites accessible for everyone. Designate a section 508 clearance officer to implement, maintain, and oversee the section 508 program based on workload and size of agency and staff office.
For more details about using the tools, please refer to the dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications. It is organized by categories to help you easily identify applicable requirements. Section 508 accessibility compliance autodesk recognizes the importance of section 508 of the rehabilitation act. Procurement officersif you purchase software or equipment for your office, you must follow 508 contracting requirements. Section 508 amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973. Section 508 was originally added as an amendment to the rehabilitation act of 1973 in 1986. Click on computerbased training to navigate to the cbt page. This new law has the promise to revolutionize the technology used by the federal government.
Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology. Compact disc users course cduc creating section 508 compliant web content. Section 508 compliance testing is your organization. The resources provided in this section include standards, guidelines, design tips, tools and other information to help you design products that are accessible to all users. Oct 08, 2019 section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. Introduction to section 508 and information and communication technology ict.
Acrobat for accessibility and section 508 training class this oneday adobe acrobat training class is focused on creating accessible pdf files that comply with section 508. These rules are more pertaining to information accessibility implying that information needs to be accessible to all individuals inclusive of individuals with disabilities. Section 508 covers eit broadly and includes software, web sites, web applications and hardware applications such as computers, networks, peripherals and other types of electronic office equipment. Pdf icon harmonized testing process for section 508 compliance. Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities.
Ensure 508 compliance with an accessibility strategy. The below checklists are the official hhs accessibility checklists. Test for accessibility gsa governmentwide section 508. Some of these courses are also available as webbased training wbt. Using practical examples, this course explains how section 508 requirements apply to micropurchases of hardware, software, and other ict.
Jul 12, 2019 section 508 compliance testing checklist. General services administration federal supply service. This page has information about the section 508 law, and the va section 508 office. This means that federal employees with disabilities are able to do their work on the accessible computers, phones and equipment in their offices, take online training or access the agencys internal website to locate needed information. Each nih ic has a designated section 508 coordinator to represent their respective ic in the nihwide section 508 effort. Baseline tests for software and web accessibility ver 1. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individuals ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Find an overview of testing methods and the tools to test websites, software, and electronic documents for conformance with the revised 508 standards. The section 508 technical standards include two groups of standards, one primarily intended for browserbased information, and the other intended primarily for native.
Is a computer based training cbt module still considered 508 compliant if the focus moves away from the play bar after selecting a function from the play bar. Accessible pdf files optimized for the web and carry all the necessary information for screen reading software used by visually impaired individuals. Please visit other pages on the navigation pane to the right titled resources to view more information about accessibility and obtaining conformance with section 508. Section 508 and wcag compliances in corporate elearning development follow learnercentered approach to ensure your course is accessible to all.
The term includes computers, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and similar procedures, services including support services, and related resources. The section 508 website provides a dedicated page on section 508 compliance testing, including testing guidelines for websites, software, and electronic documents. Federal agencies to develop their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. All federal employees who are purchase card holders and are responsible for procuring ict must be aware of their responsibilities regarding. Tools and resources for developers and content authors to test digital products and content for conformance to section 508 accessibility. Technology is deemed to be accessible if it can be used as effectively by. If youve heard the terms section 508 or 508 compliance and wondered what they mean, youre not alone. The standards cover the full range of electronic and information technologies in the federal sector, including those used for communication, duplication, computing, storage, presentation, control, transport and production. As more accessible websites and software become available, people with disabilities are able to use and contribute to the web more effectively. To help meet our goal of universal design, salesforce. Guide to the section 508 standards united states access. This section serves as an overview of the section 508 of the rehabilitation act 29 u.
Nov 29, 2016 the new section 508 checklist saw to it that people with disabilities would have equal access to the rapidly progressing information technology. The following test processes are used by dhs to validate section 508 conformance claims. Dhs section 508 compliance testing tools homeland security. This course includes computer based training cbt modules that provide in depth videos on the ltcsp software application. The passfail criteria in this document represent an interpretation of section 508 web standards. Applicable 508 standards and exceptions chart template msword, september 2017 examples. Computerbased training cds compact disc users course cduc creating section 508 compliant web content dd form 1685.
Open question and answer session on the revised 508 standards. Use the template below, or develop your own format, when preparing a solicitation, statement of work, or other procurement document. Section 508 is a law from rehabilitation act of 1973 that states u. It explains the installation steps in detail, and important information to help you download the necessary components from the host websites. Ict applies to the information technology and other equipment your agency procures, develops, uses, and maintains. Update the section 508 clearance officer designation letter annually. Section 508 was originally added to the rehabilitation act in 1986. If applicable, indicate that section 508 compliance information is available on electronic and information technology eit supplies and services and show where full details can be found e. Hisoftware cynthia says portal is a web content accessibility validation solution.
Tips for managing section 508 testing techrepublic. Section 508 standards mapped to dhs application test process. Section 508 software applications and operating systems 1194. Section 508, an amendment to the united states workforce rehabilitation act of 1973, is a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities.
All software and hardware purchased must be 508 compliant. Trusted tester and ict testing baseline section508. Jan, 2003 in most cases, your contract or statement of work should spell out the tools you are to use for testing section 508 compliancy. Computerbased training cbt the following is a list of computerbased training cbt programs available by request cac required on cdrom. Section 508 standards and testing easy dynamics blog. On august 7, 1998, the president signed into law the workforce investment act of 1998, which includes the rehabilitation act amendments of 1998. Its time to update your sites accessibility atlantic bt. The effectiveness of the nih section 508 program is highly dependent on the collaboration with, and efforts of, other program and functional experts in the nih community as discussed below. Oct, 2016 this guide provides a list of the testing tools used in the dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications. Section 508 compliance approach for webbased applications.
As a quick history lesson, section 508 standards were originally added as an amendent in 1986. It is designed to identify errors in your content related to section 508 standards andor the wcag. Revised section 508 chapter 5 software including mobile. Accessibility testing for websites and software section508. July 12, 2019 section 508 is an important amendment to the rehabilitation act that protects the right of people with disabilities to have equal access to electronic and information technology. These checklists will help you ensure compliance with the guidelines. Gsa 508 technical tools and resources free testing tools for 508 compliance. This checklist is not official section 508 documentation. The office of the chief information officer ocio is responsible for hhs section 508 compliance. Refresh of the section 508 standards and the section 255 guidelines.
Listed below are section 508 testing tools available from nongovernment websites. A development, procurement, maintenance, or use of electronic and information technology. The voluntary product accessibility template vpat is a document which evaluates how accessible a particular product is according to the section 508 standards. Part 1194 apply to your work find guidance and training.
In 1998, congress amended the rehabilitation act of 1973 29 u. Section 508 covers technology bought by the federal government from private entities or developed by the federal government. Guide to the section 508 standards subpart a general. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act was substantially amended in 1998 and now requires federal agencies to procure only electronic and information technology that meets a set of very specific standards. If youre an author or developer of electronic documents, software applications, web content, operating systems, accessibility platforms, assistive technology. Any time you are preparing an electronic document that will be posted online or distributed via email, whether its an internal document or an external document, you need to follow the section 508 guidelines. Federal agencies, private entities that receive public funding and independent software vendors are required by law to make. Testpros understands that compliance is based on the premise that software, hardware and document accessibility is part of each it requirement, and should be addressed up front as part of the system development life cycle. Ensure that all electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Press the tab key to navigate to the control buttons within the play bar, and press the spacebar to select the buttons. Cbt nuggets is committed to section 508 accessibility.
When developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology, each federal department or. The ict testing baseline describes how to evaluate conformance to the revised 508 standards, which align with wcag 2. This document can also be used as 508 compliance testing checklist for mobile apps or websites. Section 508 disclaimer computer based training cbt users can navigate the videos using the play bar. For more details about using the tools, please refer to the dhs section 508. The department of homeland security is committed to providing free online training resources to assist with creating, validating, and remediating accessible electronic content for conformance to the section 508 standards. Learn how to make your documents 508 compliant in nexights stepbystep video tutorial. Specific criteria cover software applications and operating systems, webbased information and applications, computers, telecommunications products, video and multimedia, and selfcontained closed products. What is section 508 in 1998, congress amended the rehabilitation act of 1973 29 u. Federal compliance with the statute was required by june 21, 2001.
It specifically establishes guidelines for electronic and information technology to be accessible by people with disabilities. In order to be sure that your organizations website is compliant with section 508, you need to test in accordance to these popular, wellestablished standards. Section 508 is a set of standards laid out by the us federal govt which must be followed while developing webpages websites. As an option, we can apply the fixes to your software section 508 remediation in order to bring it into full compliance with the section 508 standard. Applications often incorporate interface elements and web standards where both software. On january 18, 2017, the board published a final rule that updates the section 508 standards along with accessiblity guidelines for telecommunication products and equipment covered by section 255 of the communications act. Section 508 requires that federal agencies electronic and information technology is accessible to people with motor, vision, or other impairments. Guide to the section 508 standards united states access board. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Section 508 was further strengthened in 1998, when it was replaced by the new federal electronic and information technology accessibility and compliance act we still call it section 508, though.
After selecting a button, the focus moves away from the play bar. Dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications. Section 508 application test process accessibility dc. If youre an author or developer of electronic documents, software applications, web content, operating systems, accessibility platforms, assistive technology, mobile environments, and modern development frameworks, you need to understand how the revised 508 standards 36 c. The section 508 standards were developed by the us access board, an independent federal agency that works on accessibility for people with disabilities. About the section 508 standards united states access board. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 is a law that requires the federal government to provide access to its information and communication technology ict to people with disabilities. Where an application permits the user to adjust color and contrast, the range of choices should be broad enough to accommodate low vision users. Cms section 508 policy 3 downloadedprinted copies may be obsolete. The section 508 web site is a good starting point to learn more. Feb 23, 2015 learn how to make your documents 508 compliant in nexights stepbystep video tutorial. Jitc is member of the dods major range and test facility base mrtfb.