Section 508 Website Accessibility for D. C. Government
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Accessibility OverviewD.C. government departments are continuing the transition from delivering programs and services through traditional paper-based formats to providing services electronically. It therefore becomes important to make sure these programs and services are available to all citizens regardless of their abilities and the methods they use to access the web. The standard definition of accessibility in this context concerns the degree to which information, services, and the physical environment are available to people with different types of disabilities. The broader topic addresses the ability to access information, programs, and services regardless of the device, method, or mode of presentation being used. Some issues for users that need to be considered include:
Universal design means making technology available to all users in as many contexts as possible. Site developers and designers should strive to use universal design principles as much as possible. The web site www.usability.gov provides additional information on the topics of usability and universal design. The DC.gov Accessibility Policy implements the accessibility standards federal government agencies are required to meet to make their technology accessible to people with disabilities. The Section 508 Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) standards, which are part of the 1998 Rehabilitation Act, include requirements that all webpages on the DC.gov portal be universally accessible. The District of Columbia is not a federal government establishment, so Section 508 does not apply directly to the D.C. government. However, Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all state and local governments to take steps to make sure that the communications they provide to people with disabilities are as effective as the communications provided to others. The requirement to provide “effective communication” also applies to private establishments under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To be certain that all web and technology communications are as effective for people with disabilities as they are for others, the D.C. government has adopted Section 508 requirements as a minimum standard that must be met for all web communications. Disability TypesVisualIndividuals with visual disabilities lack the ability to see or have difficulty with sight. Visual disabilities include blindness, reduction of visual acuity (visual range), color blindness, and tunnel vision. The adaptive technologies used on the web by people facing visual challenges vary widely based on the user’s needs. Some individuals use third-party software to enlarge text or alter the colors used on the screen. Others may adjust settings built into their computer’s operating system or browser, or they may employ a hardware solution such as a larger monitor or a closed circuit television (CCTV). Individuals with more profound vision loss such as blindness may use screen reading software that converts information into speech synthesis or refreshable Braille. MobilityIndividuals with mobility disabilities are those that have limitation of movement. These users may control their computer using the keyboard instead of a pointing device such as a mouse, or they may use a hardware solution that emulates a keyboard or pointing device such as a head pointer. Others may use software solution such as an on-screen keyboard or speech recognition software. SpeechIndividuals with speech disabilities lack the ability to speak or have difficulty producing speech. They often use augmentative communication devices that range from picture boards to complex speech synthesis systems. Voice communication may also be facilitated through a teletype (TTY) or video relay device. AuditoryIndividuals with auditory disabilities lack the ability to hear or may have difficulty hearing. Individuals with hearing loss may use hearing aids or assistive listening devices such as telecoils or neck loops. Individuals with more profound hearing loss such as deafness may use sign language, captioned audio, TTY, or video relay devices to facilitate communication. CognitiveCognitive disabilities are neurological disorders that affect cognitive processes. Cognitive disabilities cover a wide variety of disability types, including: intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Some individuals with cognitive disabilities benefit from reading systems that use a combination of speech synthesis and page tracking features. Others may use sites such as InstaPaper and Readability to simplify page layout and remove distractions on the page. Age-RelatedIn 2011, the U.S. Census reported that 37 percent of people 65 and older have at least one disability. Web use and computer penetration among the population aged 65 and older is growing. Today the “baby boomer” generation makes heavy use of the web. Accessibility StandardsSection 508Section 508, as stated above, is a U.S. federal law requiring electronic and information technology that is developed, purchased, used, or maintained by the federal government to be accessible to people with disabilities. It also adds accessibility requirements to technology purchases by U.S. federal agencies. While Section 508 only directly applies to federal agencies, many state governments have adopted the Section 508 requirements at the state level. The government of the District of Columbia applies the Section 508 standards to information that is posted on the DC.gov web portal. The Section 508 standards are broken down into categories. The four main categories are: 1) general requirements, 2) technical standards, 3) functional performance criteria, and 4) information, documentation, and support requirements. The “technical standards” category is further divided: 1) software applications and operating systems, 2) web-based information and applications, 3) communications products such as telephone and voice mail systems, multimedia and video products, 4) self-contained systems such as kiosks and office equipment, and 5) computer systems.
When creating websites, developers should strive to meet the requirements of WCAG 2.0 level AA conformance, which goes beyond the Section 508 requirements. The WCAG 2.0 criteria are more detailed than the Section 508 requirements, and are therefore likely to produce a more accessible experience for users with disabilities. As of this writing, the Section 508 standards are being updated to reflect changes in technology since the original standards were passed in 2001. The updated standards being proposed by the U.S. Access Board are based on the WCAG 2.0 level AA criteria. Creating a site that meets these requirements will prepare developers when the Section 508 standards are updated. While meeting the WCAG 2.0 AAA criteria is the ideal scenario, even the W3C acknowledges that it is unrealistic for every page of a website to meet all of the WCAG 2.0 level AAA requirements. Directory: sites -> default -> files -> sites files -> Fermi Questions a guide for Teachers, Students, and Event Supervisors Lloyd Abrams, Ph. D. DuPont Company, cr&D/ccas experimental Station Wilmington, de 19880 files -> Personal Information Name: Maha Al-Ammari Nationality: Saudi Relationship Status sites -> Management and functional review ministry of transport and aviation sites -> Turning Points Lesson Plan Lesson Title: Rethinking Objector Rules Essential Question sites -> Brdzola Khma Vladimir sites -> Berlin Airlift and Stalin's losing Strategy Stalin against Tito sites -> I am here today to urge the commission to act immediately to restore Atlantic menhaden. We need more menhaden in the water sites -> Diary of a walking butterfly sites -> Accreditations Download 230.61 Kb. Share with your friends:
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