Introduction Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that US federal government's public electronic content be accessible to persons with disabilities. This law has been in effect since June 2001 and is applicable to Federal Government and its funding recipients.
Persons with disabilities access websites using screen access devices, often text to speech screen readers, and sometimes Braille readers. A website that is not constructed using laid out design practices may not be properly accessible by screen access products.
Speech Desk Inc offers a service making existing websites comply with Section 508.
If you do not have a website or need to upgrade your website, we provide affordable, legally compliant website design and construction services.
A Section 508 compliant website works with JAWS and all major screen readers.
The Process Some steps we employ in making an existing site Section 508 compliant are:
Test the webpage with A- Prompt* tool for compliance,
Check the webpage for compliance with HiSoft's AccVerify,
Identify and repair all errors, and test the page with JAWS Screen reader,
Test the webpage in IE and Netscape browsers for look and feel,
Test the webpage by disabling stylesheets to confirm accessibility in cases where stylesheets are not supported,
Notes Your Section 508 compliant website can be deployed as the main site or one to be accessed via the main site.
Social responsibilities aside, Section 508 laws currently apply only to Federal government electronic content and those of its funding recipients. For information on legal compliance, please visit www.section508.gov
Conclusion We use accepted tools to identify shortcomings, and industry standard methods to achieve compliance.
*A- Prompt Tool is made available through the collaborative efforts of the University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Center and the TRACE Center at the University of Wisconsin. Both research groups are dedicated to improving the availability and accessibility of information technologies for people with disabilities.
