**[Table of Contents]{.underline}**

[**SSA Guide to Completing the Section 508 Evaluation Template**
2](#__RefHeading___Toc132014996)

[**Section 508 Evaluation Template**
5](#section-508-evaluation-template)

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc132014996 .anchor}**SSA Guide to Completing the
Section 508 Evaluation Template**

**Purpose:**

This document will provide Vendors with instructions as to how they are
expected to complete the Section 508 Evaluation Template for the Social
Security Administration (SSA).

**Background:**

In 2001, the Information Technology Industry Council partnered with the
General Services Administration to create a tool that would assist
Federal contracting and procurement officials in fulfilling the market
research requirements specified in Section 508. The result of their
collaboration was the 508 Evaluation Template -- a simple, web-based
checklist that allows Vendors to document how their product
**[did]{.underline}** or **[did not]{.underline}** meet the various
Section 508 Requirements.

[]{#vpat_org .anchor}**How the Section 508 Evaluation Template is
organized:**

The Section 508 Evaluation Template consists of a long series of tables.
The initial one, the ***Summary Table***, is used to provide a sense of
your product's ***overall*** "level-of-compliance" with the Section 508
Standards. Subsequently, the ***Section 1194.xx Tables*** contain the
detailed subparagraphs that a Section 508 Standard is composed of. It is
within these ***Section 1194.xx Tables*** that you will define in detail
how your product **[did]{.underline}** or **[did not]{.underline}**
comply with a specific requirement.

***Understanding the columns***

Use the following to understand the use of the three columns in the
Section 508 Evaluation Template's tables:

  --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  **Summary Table**           

  **Column Name**             **Use**

  **Criteria:**               Describes Subparts B, C, and D of the Section 508
                              Standards.

  **Supporting Features:**    To ***[Enter]{.underline}*** information
                              summarizing a product's overall "level-of support"
                              for the corresponding Subpart or, when appropriate,
                              to specify ***Not Applicable***.

  **Remarks/Explanations:**   To ***[Enter]{.underline}*** general comments
                              regarding a product's overall "level-of-compliance"
                              with the ***Applicable*** Subpart.
  --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

  --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------
  **Section 1194.xx Tables**  

  **Column Name**             **Use**

  **Criteria:**               Describes a specific guideline that a Subpart is
                              composed of.

  **Supporting Features:**    To ***[Enter]{.underline}*** information
                              summarizing a product's "level-of-support" for a
                              specific guideline.

  **Remarks/Explanations:**   To ***[Enter]{.underline}*** detailed information
                              on how the product **[did]{.underline}** or **[did
                              not]{.underline}** support a specific guideline.
  --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------

***What information do I enter in columns 2 and 3?***

The ***Supporting Features*** and ***Remarks/Explanations*** columns are
used to document exactly how a product **[did]{.underline}** or **[did
not]{.underline}** meet the Section 508 Standards. In order to promote
consistency in Vendor responses, which will ensure a quicker review
process by SSA's contracting and procurement officials, we encourage you
to answer these columns in the following manner:

  --------------------------------------- -------------------------------
  **Supporting Features (second column on 
  508 Evaluation Template)**              

  **Language**                            **Description**

  **Supports**                            Product **FULLY** **meets** the
                                          letter and intent of the
                                          Criteria.

  **Supports with Exceptions**            Product **does not**
                                          **ENTIRELY** meet the letter
                                          and intent of the Criteria, but
                                          does provides some level of
                                          access.

  **Supports through Equivalent           Product provides *alternative*
  Facilitation**                          methods to **meet** the intent
                                          of the Criteria.

  **Does not Support**                    Product **does not** meet the
                                          letter or intent of the
                                          Criteria.

  **Not Applicable**                      The Criteria **does not** apply
                                          to the product.
  --------------------------------------- -------------------------------

+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Remarks & Explanations (third      |                               |
| column on 508 Evaluation Template)** |                               |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **If 2^nd^ column states...**        | **Then...**                   |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Supports**                         | List exactly                  |
|                                      | **[what]{.underline}**        |
|                                      | features of the product       |
|                                      | **do** meet and describe      |
|                                      | **[how]{.underline}** they    |
|                                      | are used to support the       |
|                                      | Criteria.                     |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Supports with Exceptions**         | List exactly                  |
|                                      | **[what]{.underline}**        |
|                                      | features of the product       |
|                                      | **do** meet and describe      |
|                                      | **[how]{.underline}** they    |
|                                      | are used to support the       |
|                                      | Criteria.                     |
|                                      |                               |
|                                      | **AND**                       |
|                                      |                               |
|                                      | List exactly                  |
|                                      | **[what]{.underline}** parts  |
|                                      | of the product **do not**     |
|                                      | meet and describe             |
|                                      | **[how]{.underline}** they    |
|                                      | fail to support the Criteria. |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Supports through Equivalent        | List exactly                  |
| Facilitation**                       | **[what]{.underline}**        |
|                                      | *other* methods exist in the  |
|                                      | product and describe          |
|                                      | **[how]{.underline}** they    |
|                                      | are used to support the       |
|                                      | Criteria.                     |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Does not Support**                 | Describe exactly              |
|                                      | **[how]{.underline}** the     |
|                                      | product **does not** support  |
|                                      | the Criteria.                 |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| **Not Applicable**                   | Describe exactly              |
|                                      | **[why]{.underline}** the     |
|                                      | criteria is not applicable to |
|                                      | the product.                  |
+--------------------------------------+-------------------------------+

**Typical Scenario for Completing a Section 508 Evaluation Template:**

To begin the process of completing the Section 508 Evaluation Template,
you should enlist the services of your company's technical specialist
for the product being sought for purchase. The reason for this is
because SSA requires a measure of technical detail in your responses.
Once you've enlisted their assistance:

1)  Determine which sections of the **Technical Standards (Subpart
    B-1194.21-26)** apply to your product**.\*** Keep in mind that you
    **[always]{.underline}** must complete the **Functional Performance
    Criteria (Subpart C -- 1194.31)** and **Information, Documentation,
    and Support (Subpart D -- 1194.41)** sections of the Section 508
    Evaluation Template.

2)  For each section that applies, determine if your product does or
    does not meet the specific Criteria elements.

3)  Using the information found in the [***How the Section 508
    Evaluation Template is organized***](#vpat_org) section, document in
    the ***Section 1194.xx Tables*** exactly **[how]{.underline}** your
    product **[did]{.underline}** or **[did not]{.underline}** meet the
    applicable standard.

    -   If your product **supports** the standard, provide detailed
        examples of **[what]{.underline}** accessibility features exist
        and **[how]{.underline}** they are used to support the standard.

    -   If your product **does** **not support** the standard, remember
        that Section 508 allows for products to meet the Access Board
        Standards in innovative, non-traditional ways. Your product can
        meet the standard by providing an innovative solution, as long
        as the feature performs in the same manner as it does for any
        other user.

    -   If your product **does not** possess an ***innovative,
        non-traditional way*** of access to the standard, provide
        detailed examples of exactly **[how]{.underline}** the product
        **[did not]{.underline}** meet the standard.

4)  Once you've documented in the ***Section 1194.xx Tables*** exactly
    how your product **[did]{.underline}** or **[did not]{.underline}**
    meet, return to the ***Summary Table*** and document the product's
    overall "level-of-compliance" in each of the applicable sections.

5)  Post your final Section 508 Evaluation Template on your company\'s
    web site.

6)  Please keep in mind that it is the Vendor\'s responsibility to
    maintain the integrity of the data on the Section 508 Evaluation
    Template. The information provided on your Section 508 Evaluation
    Template is considered to be a self-representation unless expressly
    affirmed otherwise.

\* **Please Note:** Any **[WEB]{.underline}** application being
purchased by SSA also **[requires]{.underline}** the Vendor to complete
***Section 1194.21*** of the Section 508 Evaluation Template in addition
to ***Sections 1194.22***, ***1194.31***, and ***1194.41***.

# Section 508 Evaluation Template

**Date:\
Name of Product:\
Contact for more Information:**

**Refer to the [ITIC Best
Practices](http://www.itic.org/archives/articles/20040506/faq_voluntary_product_accessibility_template_vpat.php)
for filling out the following form.**

  --------------------------------------- -------------- -----------------
  **Summary Table**                                      

  ***Criteria***                          **Supporting   **Remarks and
                                          Features**     explanations**

  Section 1194.21 [Software Applications                  
  and Operating                                          
  Systems](#softwaredetails)                             

  Section 1194.22 [Web-based internet                     
  information and                                        
  applications](#webdetails)                             

  Section 1194.23 [Telecommunications                     
  Products](#telecommunicationsdetails)                  

  Section 1194.24 [Video and Multi-media                  
  Products](#videodetails)                               

  Section 1194.25[Self-Contained, Closed                  
  Products](#selfcontaineddetails)                       

  Section 1194.26 [Desktop and Portable                   
  Computers](#desktopsdetails)                           

  Section 1194.31 [Functional Performance                 
  Criteria](#functionaldetails)                          

  Section 1194.41 [Information,                           
  documentation, and                                     
  support.](#documentation)                              
  --------------------------------------- -------------- -----------------

[Return to the top of the page.](#topofpage)\
\
\
\
[]{#softwaredetails .anchor}

+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| **Section 1194.21 Software Applications  |       |                   |
| and Operating Systems**                  |       |                   |
|                                          |       |                   |
| ***\* Refer to (                         |       |                   |
| <http://www.ac                           |       |                   |
| cess-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.21.htm> |       |                   |
| ) for details on the guidelines listed   |       |                   |
| below.***                                |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| ***Criteria***                           | **    | **Remarks and     |
|                                          | Suppo | explanations**    |
|                                          | rting |                   |
|                                          | Featu |                   |
|                                          | res** |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(a\) When software is designed to run   |       |                   |
| on a system that has a keyboard, product |       |                   |
| functions shall be executable from a     |       |                   |
| keyboard where the function itself or    |       |                   |
| the result of performing a function can  |       |                   |
| be discerned textually.                  |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(b\) Applications shall not disrupt or  |       |                   |
| disable activated features of other      |       |                   |
| products that are identified as          |       |                   |
| accessibility features, where those      |       |                   |
| features are developed and documented    |       |                   |
| according to industry standards.         |       |                   |
| Applications also shall not disrupt or   |       |                   |
| disable activated features of any        |       |                   |
| operating system that are identified as  |       |                   |
| accessibility features where the         |       |                   |
| application programming interface for    |       |                   |
| those accessibility features has been    |       |                   |
| documented by the manufacturer of the    |       |                   |
| operating system and is available to the |       |                   |
| product developer.                       |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(c\) A well-defined on-screen           |       |                   |
| indication of the current focus shall be |       |                   |
| provided that moves among interactive    |       |                   |
| interface elements as the input focus    |       |                   |
| changes. The focus shall be              |       |                   |
| programmatically exposed so that         |       |                   |
| Assistive Technology can track focus and |       |                   |
| focus changes.                           |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(d\) Sufficient information about a     |       |                   |
| user interface element including the     |       |                   |
| identity, operation and state of the     |       |                   |
| element shall be available to Assistive  |       |                   |
| Technology. When an image represents a   |       |                   |
| program element, the information         |       |                   |
| conveyed by the image must also be       |       |                   |
| available in text.                       |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(e\) When bitmap images are used to     |       |                   |
| identify controls, status indicators, or |       |                   |
| other programmatic elements, the meaning |       |                   |
| assigned to those images shall be        |       |                   |
| consistent throughout an application\'s  |       |                   |
| performance.                             |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(f\) Textual information shall be       |       |                   |
| provided through operating system        |       |                   |
| functions for displaying text. The       |       |                   |
| minimum information that shall be made   |       |                   |
| available is text content, text input    |       |                   |
| caret location, and text attributes.     |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(g\) Applications shall not override    |       |                   |
| user selected contrast and color         |       |                   |
| selections and other individual display  |       |                   |
| attributes.                              |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(h\) When animation is displayed, the   |       |                   |
| information shall be displayable in at   |       |                   |
| least one non-animated presentation mode |       |                   |
| at the option of the user.               |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(i\) Color coding shall not be used as  |       |                   |
| the only means of conveying information, |       |                   |
| indicating an action, prompting a        |       |                   |
| response, or distinguishing a visual     |       |                   |
| element.                                 |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(j\) When a product permits a user to   |       |                   |
| adjust color and contrast settings, a    |       |                   |
| variety of color selections capable of   |       |                   |
| producing a range of contrast levels     |       |                   |
| shall be provided.                       |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(k\) Software shall not use flashing or |       |                   |
| blinking text, objects, or other         |       |                   |
| elements having a flash or blink         |       |                   |
| frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower    |       |                   |
| than 55 Hz.                              |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+
| \(l\) When electronic forms are used,    |       |                   |
| 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.                 |       |                   |
+------------------------------------------+-------+-------------------+

[Return to the top of the page.](#topofpage)\
[]{#webdetails .anchor}

+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| **Section 1194.22         |                    |                    |
| Web-based Internet        |                    |                    |
| information and           |                    |                    |
| applications**            |                    |                    |
|                           |                    |                    |
| ***\* Refer to (          |                    |                    |
| <http                     |                    |                    |
| ://www.access-board.gov/s |                    |                    |
| ec508/guide/1194.22.htm>) |                    |                    |
| for details on the        |                    |                    |
| guidelines listed         |                    |                    |
| below.***                 |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| ***Criteria***            | **Supporting       | **Remarks and      |
|                           | Features**         | explanations**     |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(a\) A text equivalent   |                    |                    |
| for every non-text        |                    |                    |
| element shall be provided |                    |                    |
| (e.g., via \"alt\",       |                    |                    |
| \"longdesc\", or in       |                    |                    |
| element content).         |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(b\) Equivalent          |                    |                    |
| alternatives for any      |                    |                    |
| multimedia presentation   |                    |                    |
| shall be synchronized     |                    |                    |
| with the presentation.    |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(c\) Web pages shall be  |                    |                    |
| designed so that all      |                    |                    |
| information conveyed with |                    |                    |
| color is also available   |                    |                    |
| without color, for        |                    |                    |
| example from context or   |                    |                    |
| markup.                   |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(d\) Documents shall be  |                    |                    |
| organized so they are     |                    |                    |
| readable without          |                    |                    |
| requiring an associated   |                    |                    |
| style sheet.              |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(e\) Redundant text      |                    |                    |
| links shall be provided   |                    |                    |
| for each active region of |                    |                    |
| a server-side image map.  |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(f\) 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.          |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(g\) Row and column      |                    |                    |
| headers shall be          |                    |                    |
| identified for data       |                    |                    |
| tables.                   |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(h\) 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.                  |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(i\) Frames shall be     |                    |                    |
| titled with text that     |                    |                    |
| facilitates frame         |                    |                    |
| identification and        |                    |                    |
| navigation                |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(j\) Pages shall be      |                    |                    |
| designed to avoid causing |                    |                    |
| the screen to flicker     |                    |                    |
| with a frequency greater  |                    |                    |
| than 2 Hz and lower than  |                    |                    |
| 55 Hz.                    |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(k\) 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.     |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(l\) 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.               |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(m\) 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 |                    |                    |
| Û1194.21(a) through (l).  |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(n\) 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.                 |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(o\) A method shall be   |                    |                    |
| provided that permits     |                    |                    |
| users to skip repetitive  |                    |                    |
| navigation links.         |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
| \(p\) When a timed        |                    |                    |
| response is required, the |                    |                    |
| user shall be alerted and |                    |                    |
| given sufficient time to  |                    |                    |
| indicate more time is     |                    |                    |
| required.                 |                    |                    |
+---------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+

Note to 1194.22: The Board interprets paragraphs (a) through (k) of this
section as consistent with the following priority 1 Checkpoints of the
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) (May 5 1999)
published by the Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web
Consortium: Paragraph (a) - 1.1, (b) - 1.4, (c) - 2.1, (d) - 6.1, (e) -
1.2, (f) - 9.1, (g) - 5.1, (h) - 5.2, (i) - 12.1, (j) - 7.1, (k) - 11.4.

[Return to the top of the page.](#topofpage)\
[]{#telecommunicationsdetails .anchor}

+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| **Section 1194.23 Telecommunications Products**  |        |          |
|                                                  |        |          |
| ***\* Refer to (                                 |        |          |
| <http:                                           |        |          |
| //www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.23.htm> |        |          |
| ) for details on the guidelines listed below.*** |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| ***Criteria***                                   | **Supp | *        |
|                                                  | orting | *Remarks |
|                                                  | Feat   | and      |
|                                                  | ures** | explan   |
|                                                  |        | ations** |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(a\) Telecommunications products or systems     |        |          |
| which provide a function allowing voice          |        |          |
| communication and which do not themselves        |        |          |
| provide a TTY functionality shall provide a      |        |          |
| standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs. |        |          |
| Microphones shall be capable of being turned on  |        |          |
| and off to allow the user to intermix speech     |        |          |
| with TTY use.                                    |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(b\) Telecommunications products which include  |        |          |
| voice communication functionality shall support  |        |          |
| all commonly used cross-manufacturer             |        |          |
| non-proprietary standard TTY signal protocols.   |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(c\) Voice mail, auto-attendant, and            |        |          |
| interactive voice response telecommunications    |        |          |
| systems shall be usable by TTY users with their  |        |          |
| TTYs.                                            |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(d\) Voice mail, messaging, auto-attendant, and |        |          |
| interactive voice response telecommunications    |        |          |
| systems that require a response from a user      |        |          |
| within a time interval, shall give an alert when |        |          |
| the time interval is about to run out, and shall |        |          |
| provide sufficient time for the user to indicate |        |          |
| more time is required.                           |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(e\) Where provided, caller identification and  |        |          |
| similar telecommunications functions shall also  |        |          |
| be available for users of TTYs, and for users    |        |          |
| who cannot see displays.                         |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(f\) For transmitted voice signals,             |        |          |
| telecommunications products shall provide a gain |        |          |
| adjustable up to a minimum of 20 dB. For         |        |          |
| incremental volume control, at least one         |        |          |
| intermediate step of 12 dB of gain shall be      |        |          |
| provided.                                        |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(g\) If the telecommunications product allows a |        |          |
| user to adjust the receive volume, a function    |        |          |
| shall be provided to automatically reset the     |        |          |
| volume to the default level after every use.     |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(h\) Where a telecommunications product         |        |          |
| delivers output by an audio transducer which is  |        |          |
| normally held up to the ear, a means for         |        |          |
| effective magnetic wireless coupling to hearing  |        |          |
| technologies shall be provided.                  |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(i\) Interference to hearing technologies       |        |          |
| (including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and  |        |          |
| assistive listening devices) shall be reduced to |        |          |
| the lowest possible level that allows a user of  |        |          |
| hearing technologies to utilize the              |        |          |
| telecommunications product.                      |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(j\) Products that transmit or conduct          |        |          |
| information or communication, shall pass through |        |          |
| cross-manufacturer, non-proprietary,             |        |          |
| industry-standard codes, translation protocols,  |        |          |
| formats or other information necessary to        |        |          |
| provide the information or communication in a    |        |          |
| usable format. Technologies which use encoding,  |        |          |
| signal compression, format transformation, or    |        |          |
| similar techniques shall not remove information  |        |          |
| needed for access or shall restore it upon       |        |          |
| delivery.                                        |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (k)(1) Products which have mechanically operated |        |          |
| controls or keys shall comply with the           |        |          |
| following: Controls and Keys shall be tactilely  |        |          |
| discernible without activating the controls or   |        |          |
| keys.                                            |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (k)(2) Products which have mechanically operated |        |          |
| controls or keys shall comply with the           |        |          |
| following: Controls and Keys shall be operable   |        |          |
| with one hand and shall not require tight        |        |          |
| grasping, pinching, twisting of the wrist. The   |        |          |
| force required to activate controls and keys     |        |          |
| shall be 5 lbs. (22.2N) maximum.                 |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (k)(3) Products which have mechanically operated |        |          |
| controls or keys shall comply with the           |        |          |
| following: If key repeat is supported, the delay |        |          |
| before repeat shall be adjustable to at least 2  |        |          |
| seconds. Key repeat rate shall be adjustable to  |        |          |
| 2 seconds per character.                         |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (k)(4) Products which have mechanically operated |        |          |
| controls or keys shall comply with the           |        |          |
| following: The status of all locking or toggle   |        |          |
| controls or keys shall be visually discernible,  |        |          |
| and discernible either through touch or sound.   |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+

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[]{#videodetails .anchor}

+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| **Section 1194.24 Video and Multi-media          |        |          |
| Products**                                       |        |          |
|                                                  |        |          |
| ***\* Refer to (                                 |        |          |
| <http:                                           |        |          |
| //www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.24.htm> |        |          |
| ) for details on the guidelines listed below.*** |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| ***Criteria***                                   | **Supp | *        |
|                                                  | orting | *Remarks |
|                                                  | Feat   | and      |
|                                                  | ures** | explan   |
|                                                  |        | ations** |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(a\) All analog television displays 13 inches   |        |          |
| and larger, and computer equipment that includes |        |          |
| analog television receiver or display circuitry, |        |          |
| shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry |        |          |
| which appropriately receives, decodes, and       |        |          |
| displays closed captions from broadcast, cable,  |        |          |
| videotape, and DVD signals. As soon as           |        |          |
| practicable, but not later than July 1, 2002,    |        |          |
| widescreen digital television (DTV) displays     |        |          |
| measuring at least 7.8 inches vertically, DTV    |        |          |
| sets with conventional displays measuring at     |        |          |
| least 13 inches vertically, and stand-alone DTV  |        |          |
| tuners, whether or not they are marketed with    |        |          |
| display screens, and computer equipment that     |        |          |
| includes DTV receiver or display circuitry,      |        |          |
| shall be equipped with caption decoder circuitry |        |          |
| which appropriately receives, decodes, and       |        |          |
| displays closed captions from broadcast, cable,  |        |          |
| videotape, and DVD signals.                      |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(b\) Television tuners, including tuner cards   |        |          |
| for use in computers, shall be equipped with     |        |          |
| secondary audio program playback circuitry.      |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(c\) All training and informational video and   |        |          |
| multimedia productions which support the         |        |          |
| agency\'s mission, regardless of format, that    |        |          |
| contain speech or other audio information        |        |          |
| necessary for the comprehension of the content,  |        |          |
| shall be open or closed captioned.               |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(d\) All training and informational video and   |        |          |
| multimedia productions which support the         |        |          |
| agency\'s mission, regardless of format, that    |        |          |
| contain visual information necessary for the     |        |          |
| comprehension of the content, shall be audio     |        |          |
| described.                                       |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(e\) Display or presentation of alternate text  |        |          |
| presentation or audio descriptions shall be      |        |          |
| user-selectable unless permanent.                |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+

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[]{#selfcontaineddetails .anchor}

+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| **Section 1194.25 Self-Contained, Closed         |        |          |
| Products**                                       |        |          |
|                                                  |        |          |
| ***\* Refer to (                                 |        |          |
| <http:/                                          |        |          |
| /www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.25.htm>) |        |          |
| for details on the guidelines listed below.***   |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| ***Criteria***                                   | **Supp | *        |
|                                                  | orting | *Remarks |
|                                                  | Feat   | and      |
|                                                  | ures** | explan   |
|                                                  |        | ations** |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(a\) Self contained products shall be usable by |        |          |
| people with disabilities without requiring an    |        |          |
| end-user to attach Assistive Technology to the   |        |          |
| product. Personal headsets for private listening |        |          |
| are not Assistive Technology.                    |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(b\) When a timed response is required, the     |        |          |
| user shall be alerted and given sufficient time  |        |          |
| to indicate more time is required.               |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(c\) Where a product utilizes touchscreens or   |        |          |
| contact-sensitive controls, an input method      |        |          |
| shall be provided that complies with Û1194.23    |        |          |
| (k) (1) through (4).                             |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(d\) When biometric forms of user               |        |          |
| identification or control are used, an           |        |          |
| alternative form of identification or            |        |          |
| activation, which does not require the user to   |        |          |
| possess particular biological characteristics,   |        |          |
| shall also be provided.                          |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(e\) When products provide auditory output, the |        |          |
| audio signal shall be provided at a standard     |        |          |
| signal level through an industry standard        |        |          |
| connector that will allow for private listening. |        |          |
| The product must provide the ability to          |        |          |
| interrupt, pause, and restart the audio at       |        |          |
| anytime.                                         |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(f\) When products deliver voice output in a    |        |          |
| public area, incremental volume control shall be |        |          |
| provided with output amplification up to a level |        |          |
| of at least 65 dB. Where the ambient noise level |        |          |
| of the environment is above 45 dB, a volume gain |        |          |
| of at least 20 dB above the ambient level shall  |        |          |
| be user selectable. A function shall be provided |        |          |
| to automatically reset the volume to the default |        |          |
| level after every use.                           |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(g\) Color coding shall not be used as the only |        |          |
| means of conveying information, indicating an    |        |          |
| action, prompting a response, or distinguishing  |        |          |
| a visual element.                                |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(h\) When a product permits a user to adjust    |        |          |
| color and contrast settings, a range of color    |        |          |
| selections capable of producing a variety of     |        |          |
| contrast levels shall be provided.               |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(i\) Products shall be designed to avoid        |        |          |
| causing the screen to flicker with a frequency   |        |          |
| greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.          |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| \(j\) (1) Products which are freestanding,       |        |          |
| non-portable, and intended to be used in one     |        |          |
| location and which have operable controls shall  |        |          |
| comply with the following: The position of any   |        |          |
| operable control shall be determined with        |        |          |
| respect to a vertical plane, which is 48 inches  |        |          |
| in length, centered on the operable control, and |        |          |
| at the maximum protrusion of the product within  |        |          |
| the 48 inch length on products which are         |        |          |
| freestanding, non-portable, and intended to be   |        |          |
| used in one location and which have operable     |        |          |
| controls.                                        |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (j)(2) Products which are freestanding,          |        |          |
| non-portable, and intended to be used in one     |        |          |
| location and which have operable controls shall  |        |          |
| comply with the following: Where any operable    |        |          |
| control is 10 inches or less behind the          |        |          |
| reference plane, the height shall be 54 inches   |        |          |
| maximum and 15 inches minimum above the floor.   |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (j)(3) Products which are freestanding,          |        |          |
| non-portable, and intended to be used in one     |        |          |
| location and which have operable controls shall  |        |          |
| comply with the following: Where any operable    |        |          |
| control is more than 10 inches and not more than |        |          |
| 24 inches behind the reference plane, the height |        |          |
| shall be 46 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum |        |          |
| above the floor.                                 |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+
| (j)(4) Products which are freestanding,          |        |          |
| non-portable, and intended to be used in one     |        |          |
| location and which have operable controls shall  |        |          |
| comply with the following: Operable controls     |        |          |
| shall not be more than 24 inches behind the      |        |          |
| reference plane.                                 |        |          |
+--------------------------------------------------+--------+----------+

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[]{#desktopsdetails .anchor}

+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| **Section 1194.26 Desktop and Portable         |         |           |
| Computers**                                    |         |           |
|                                                |         |           |
| ***\* Refer to (                               |         |           |
| <http://w                                      |         |           |
| ww.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.26.htm>) |         |           |
| for details on the guidelines listed below.*** |         |           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| ***Criteria***                                 | **Sup   | **Remarks |
|                                                | porting | and       |
|                                                | Fea     | expla     |
|                                                | tures** | nations** |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| \(a\) All mechanically operated controls and   |         |           |
| keys shall comply with Û1194.23 (k) (1)        |         |           |
| through (4).                                   |         |           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| \(b\) If a product utilizes touchscreens or    |         |           |
| touch-operated controls, an input method shall |         |           |
| be provided that complies with Û1194.23 (k)    |         |           |
| (1) through (4).                               |         |           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| \(c\) When biometric forms of user             |         |           |
| identification or control are used, an         |         |           |
| alternative form of identification or          |         |           |
| activation, which does not require the user to |         |           |
| possess particular biological characteristics, |         |           |
| shall also be provided.                        |         |           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+
| \(d\) Where provided, at least one of each     |         |           |
| type of expansion slots, ports and connectors  |         |           |
| shall comply with publicly available industry  |         |           |
| standards                                      |         |           |
+------------------------------------------------+---------+-----------+

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\
[]{#functionaldetails .anchor}

  -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ----------------
  **Section 1194.31 Functional Performance                          
  Criteria**                                                        

  ***Criteria***                                     **Supporting   **Remarks and
                                                     Features**     explanations**

  \(a\) At least one mode of operation and                           
  information retrieval that does not require user                  
  vision shall be provided, or support for Assistive                
  Technology used by people who are blind or                        
  visually impaired shall be provided.                              

  \(b\) At least one mode of operation and                           
  information retrieval that does not require visual                
  acuity greater than 20/70 shall be provided in                    
  audio and enlarged print output working together                  
  or independently, or support for Assistive                        
  Technology used by people who are visually                        
  impaired shall be provided.                                       

  \(c\) At least one mode of operation and                           
  information retrieval that does not require user                  
  hearing shall be provided, or support for                         
  Assistive Technology used by people who are deaf                  
  or hard of hearing shall be provided                              

  \(d\) Where audio information is important for the                 
  use of a product, at least one mode of operation                  
  and information retrieval shall be provided in an                 
  enhanced auditory fashion, or support for                         
  assistive hearing devices shall be provided.                      

  \(e\) At least one mode of operation and                           
  information retrieval that does not require user                  
  speech shall be provided, or support for Assistive                
  Technology used by people with disabilities shall                 
  be provided.                                                      

  \(f\) At least one mode of operation and                           
  information retrieval that does not require fine                  
  motor control or simultaneous actions and that is                 
  operable with limited reach and strength shall be                 
  provided.                                                         
  -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ----------------

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  ------------------------------------------------ -------------- ----------------
  **Section 1194.41 Information, documentation,                   
  and support.**                                                  

  ***Criteria***                                   **Supporting   **Remarks and
                                                   Features**     explanations**

  \(a\) Product support documentation provided to                  
  end-users shall be made available in alternate                  
  formats upon request, at no additional charge.                  

  \(b\) End-users shall have access to a                           
  description of the accessibility and                            
  compatibility features of products in alternate                 
  formats or alternate methods upon request, at no                
  additional charge.                                              

  \(c\) Support services for products shall                        
  accommodate the communication needs of end-users                
  with disabilities.                                              
  ------------------------------------------------ -------------- ----------------

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