In this lesson
- first
Section 508 (1194.22) Guidelines for web-accessibility Notes
Section 508 is part of the American Rehabilitation Act that covers electronic and information technologies. Under this section of the Act government agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. There are 16 guidelines in Section 508 that relate specifically to websites in part 1194.21. These guidelines are listed below
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content).
Non-text element include, all images that are imported by html using the <img src="xxx"> code, all scripts, animations and multimedia, frames used for creating page layout or as an in-line frame, in fact anything not presented directly within the HTML document
- Providing alternative text for images (lesson 7 session 3)
- Using CSS to present background images (lesson 7 session 3)
- Providing alternatives for audio and video (lesson 8 session 3)
- Providing alternatives for animations (lesson 8 session 2)
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.
- Provide sub-titles for video (lesson 8 session 3)
(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.
- Use of colour (lesson 6 session2)
(d) Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet.
- Create reliable HTML pages using semantic structure (Lesson 3 - sessions 1 - 4)
- Creating stylesheets that do not alter the basic page structure (lesson 4 sessions 1 - 4)
(e) Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.
- Do not use server side image maps (lesson 7 session 3)
(f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape.
- Using image maps so that they are accessible (lesson 7 session 3)
(g) Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.
- Using data tables to present data (lesson 3 session 3)
(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers
- Using data tables to present data (lesson 3 session 3)
(i) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation.
- Using frames in an accessible manner (lesson 5 session 2)
(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.
Avoiding novement or flashing images (lesson 8 session 2)
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes.
- Properly designed web pages do not require "text alternatives" as they are fully accessible, however, if you have an old page that cannot be made accessible then you need to create a duplicate page that is accessible and provide a system that ensures that the new, accessible page is updated whenever the original page is changed.
(l) When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by assistive technology.
- Using scripts (lesson 8 session 1)
(m) When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l).
- Including non-html documents (lesson 11 session 1)
- Embedding animations (lesson 8 session 2)
- Using audio and video (lesson 8 session 3)
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.
- Creating accessible forms (lesson 9 sessions 1 and 2)
(o) A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.
- Provide a method to skip long list of links (lesson10 session 2)
(p) When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.
- Including animations (lesson 8 session 2)