Ensure 508 compliance with an accessibility strategy. Test and debug a pdf for 508 compliance acrobat pro test and debug a pdf for 508 compliance acrobat pro dc to determine which version you have, find the program under. Powerpoint document 508 checklist if you are responsible for creating or signing offclearing files, you can use this checklist as part of your process. Andi skip to content guide modules alerts faq developer tips install. Accessibility testing for websites and software web designers, developers, and content managers play a key role in ensuring websites and digital tools are accessible, and conform to the revised 508 standards and the w3c web content accessibility guidelines wcag 2. Section 508 compliance a quick guide by level access. Hybrid a combination of automated and manual testing. And some of these test cases are combined with assistive technology, such as screen reader, screen magnifier, etc. Top 25 awesome accessibility testing tools for websites.
While the concept of making web sites and applications accessible to users with physical disabilities is not new, it has gained new prominence as a design concern. Being 508 compliant increases the number of people you reach. Webbased website accessibility evaluation tools are a handy resource if you want to make sure your website meets established accessibility standards. In an effort to improve section 508 testing across government, the harmonized testing process for section 508 compliance. Accessibility testing for websites and software section 508. In general, all electronic content, and all hardware and software with a user interface, must be accessible. Testing for web accessibility compliance under section 508 of. This module focuses on how to check the accessibility of a. The goal is to reduce redundant testing and save agencies money. Compliance testing cfr part 11, fda, hipaa pci dss. While screen readers are complicated, it is possible to test web content for accessibility without being a power user. Criterion offers section 508 testing from a real world perspective by including expert wcag testers with disabilities on every audit team. 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.
Applications and systems developed for use by cms websites including portals, exchanges, secure. It is designed to identify errors in your content related to section 508 standards andor the wcag. Section 508 compliance testing is your organization. Web accessibility evaluation tools list world wide web consortium.
The interagency trusted tester program promotes a unified, consistent, shareable, and repeatable test and evaluation approach for section 508 standards. We conduct automated website accessibility testing by using the industrys leading wcag testing software. The interagency trusted tester program promotes a unified, consistent, shareable, and repeatable test and evaluation approach for section 508 standards conformance. You can also test out your electronic technology and documents using screen readers and other kinds of assistive software and hardware, if you happen to have access to them. Dhs section 508 compliance test processes homeland security. These checks help find problems stopping disabled users from using a web site. Testing documents for section 508 compliance jobs, employment. All software and hardware purchased must be 508 compliant.
To work toward compliance, we recommend incorporating accessibility testing into existing testing processes. The rehabilitation act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by any program receiving us federal funding. Tools and resources for developers and content authors to test digital products and content for conformance to section 508 accessibility. At the end of the audit process, you will receive a report with your overall level of section 508 compliance.
Pressing the help button opens up andi help the site you are reading now in a new window. Free testing tools for 508 compliance hisoftware cynthia says portal is a web content accessibility validation solution. A free tool to test web content for accessibility and 508 compliance. Dhs developed test processes for evaluating section 508 compliance for ios and android applications, largely based upon section 508 s functional performance criteria fpc. During the past 20 years, criterion has assisted more than 2,000 government agencies and contractors to obtain longterm section 508 compliance via our premium section 508 compliance services. This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, the internet. May 31, 2017 alternatively, you can purchase a 508 compliance testing tool online. Dhs section 508 compliance testing tools homeland security.
Section 508 compliance approach for webbased applications. The office of the chief information officer ocio is responsible for hhs section 508 compliance. The appian 508 compliance page provides a summary view of the section 508 standards we observe as well as more detailed information on each subsection. Tips for managing section 508 testing techrepublic. Any truly comprehensive testing plan must include both automated and manual testing, preferably including testers with disabilities. Testing software will scan and evaluate your website and all online content and provide you with recommendations to fix accessibility issues, but this method is not 100% reliable and often the content can become altered making the document not effective. Jul 12, 2019 section 508 compliance testing checklist. Accessibility checker, created by cksource, is a software program. Oct 08, 2019 section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. Provide technical guidance, tools and resources to assist with section 508 compliance throughout the agency. This includes, but is not limited to, the following. Federal agencies, private entities that receive public funding and independent software vendors are required by law to make. A trusted tester is a person certified to provide accurate and repeatable section 508 compliance test results for software.
Section 508 compliance section 508 is a law that must be followed by federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain or use eit. Since the june 21, 2001 implementation for compliance with the standards for section 508, the number of questions concerning the proper methods for testing web sites for compliance with these standards has been increasing at an alarming rate. Top 20 accessibility testing tools for web applications software. 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.
During the audit process, there will be automated testing, manual testing, and functional testing by people with disabilities. Commercial off the shelf cots software hardware scanners, printers, copiers, etc. Sortsite checks sites against w3 wcag accessibility standards, and compliance with section 508 of the rehabilitation act. This article is designed to help users who are new to jaws learn the basic controls for testing web content, and to serve as a reference for the occasional jaws user. You can also test out your electronic technology and documents using screen readers and other kinds of assistive software. Dhs section 508 compliance testing tools this guide provides a list of the testing tools used in the dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications. Identify accessibility issues and measure compliance when testing against wcag 2.
Wave can identify many accessibility and web content accessibility guideline wcag errors, but also facilitates human evaluation of web content. Dhs section 508 compliance test process for applications about this document who should use this document this document has been designed for and is intended for use by dhs trusted testers. Wave is a suite of evaluation tools that helps authors make their web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. This tool is available to gsa federal employees only. There are several ways to validate conformance to the revised 508 standards. Hybrid apps are native apps that integrate web content. Webbased application modules that fail the test criteria outlined in the checklist should be subject to remediation and retested to confirm compliance. Trusted tester and ict testing baseline section508. Apply to tester, compliance officer, analyst and more. 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. A trusted tester is a person certified to provide accurate and repeatable section 508 compliance test results for software and web applications. Guide to the section 508 standards united states access board. Accessibility management platform amp level access.
Fireeyes a free tool for testing websites for 508 compliance. This part of test cases are based on the section 508 technical standards. Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was updated in 2018 explicitly referencing the web content accessibility guidelines wcag 2.
Test for accessibility find an overview of testing methods and the tools to test websites, software, and electronic documents for conformance with the revised 508 standards. On january 9th 2017 the access board released a final rule that updates accessibility requirements covered by section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 along with guidelines for telecommunications equipment subject to section 255 of the communications act of 1934. Find an overview of testing methods and the tools to test websites, software, and electronic documents for conformance with the revised 508 standards. Web accessibility evaluation tools are software programs or online services that help you. Gsa amp tool for 508 compliance testing contact dan perkins for tool access.
Provide training to employees on the section 508 standards, and how to develop and buy accessible. Our compliance testing services are carried out in all the phases of development right from requirement analysis to evolution of the product software application we offer compalince testing to ahere to cfr part 11 regulatory standards, fda standards, hipaa, pci dss, section 508 ada audit. It explains the installation steps in detail, and important information to help you download the necessary components from the host websites. If youve heard the terms section 508 or 508 compliance. The below checklists are the official hhs accessibility checklists. Section 508 of the rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended 29 u. Eas section 508 team our enterprise applications services eas section 508 team works closely with the usda section 508 program office to ensure quality and continuity in our testing. Feb 23, 2015 learn how to make your documents 508 compliant in nexights stepbystep video tutorial. Estimates are that 1 in 5 americans has a disability that affects their daily life. The section 508 website provides a dedicated page on section 508 compliance testing, including testing guidelines for websites, software, and electronic documents.
Learn what is accessibility testing and which are the best web. The test processes cover testing of native or hybrid apps. With amp, you can facilitate and organize all aspects of successful digital accessibility initiatives. If youve heard the terms section 508 or 508 compliance and wondered what they mean, youre not alone. Listed below are section 508 testing tools available from nongovernment websites. Accessibility testing for websites and software section508. Nov 29, 2016 some software and online tools provide automated 508 checkers, but its a mistake to rely solely on these for 508 compliance testing, or accessibility testing in general. About the section 508 standards united states access board. Ensure all electronic communication and documentation is created in a 508 friendly format e. Since website accessibility is a subset of website usability, you have to ensure your website is accessible in order to make it usable too. Section 508 compliance testing allows for an organization to test their digital contents compliance or conformance to the web content.
The ict testing baseline describes how to evaluate conformance to the revised 508 standards, which align with wcag 2. Studies have shown they will miss a significant number of violations or provide false positives. Automated high volume 508 conformance testing tools automatically scan and test electronic content. Unlike ada compliance for technology, which isnt written verbatim into the law, section 508 compliance is the law for government agencies and contractors. Previously, section 508 listed a specific set of accessibility requirements that agencies and schools were required to follow for compliance. This page has information about the section 508 law, and the va section 508 office. But these tips can help you breeze through compliance testing. Section 508 compliance testing 508 compliance website. Jaws, or job access with speech, is software that audibly reads text, and is common in the workplace. Jitc is member of the dods major range and test facility base mrtfb. All applications developed for cms must be validated for 508 compliance.
In order to be 508 compliant, all cms employees and contractors must satisfy the following requirements. Gsa 508 technical tools and resources free testing tools for 508 compliance. Hisoftware cynthia says portal is a web content accessibility validation solution. Manual manual testing uses a documented, consistent, repeatable process. Extensive experience testing against 508 and w3c standards.