1. Welcome
Stephen Bouikidis
Executive Vice President
NetReach

2. Today’s Topics
• Key Elements of Section 508
• Who Needs to Comply
• Legal Implications of 508
• Useful Resources

3. Key Elements of Section 508

4. Enacted in the 1998 Workforce
Reinvestment Act
to provide accessible content to
people with disabilities

5. Priorities (W3C)
• [Priority 1]
– A Web content developer must satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one
or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the
document. Satisfying this checkpoint is a basic requirement for some
groups to be able to use Web documents.
• [Priority 2]
– A Web content developer should satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise,
one or more groups will find it difficult to access information in the
document. Satisfying this checkpoint will remove significant barriers to
accessing Web documents.
• [Priority 3]
– A Web content developer may address this checkpoint. Otherwise, one
or more groups will find it somewhat difficult to access information in the
document. Satisfying this checkpoint will improve access to Web
documents.

6. Websites must satisfy the
following 16 specific items
for web accessibility

7. 1. Offer Text Equivalents
A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be
provided (e.g., “alt”, “longdesc”)

8. 2. Present Synchronized Multimedia
Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation
shall be synchronized with the presentation.

9. 3. Remain Independent of Color
Web pages shall be designed so that all information
conveyed with color is also available without color, for
example from context or markup.
For example, use a “strong” tag as well as color to
convey emphasis of a word or phrase.

10. 4. Stay Independent of Style Sheets
Documents shall be organized so they are readable
without requiring an associated style sheet.
For example, do not replace structural elements of
HTML like headings, paragraphs and lists.

11. 5. Provide redundant links for server-side maps
Redundant text links shall be provided for each active
region of a server-side image map.

12. 6. Use client-side image maps
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.

13. 7. Label row and column headers
Row and column headers shall be identified for data
tables.

14. 8. Use the headers attribute in complex tables
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.

15. 9. Supply Frame Titles (attributes and elements)
Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame
identification and navigation.
NOTE: Use of frames is not advisable. Impacts on the
usability of the site and can often create confusion.

16. 10. Reduce Flicker
Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to
flicker with a frequency greater than 2Hz and lower than
55 Hz.

17. 11. Offer a text-only alternative (LAST Resort)
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.

18. 12. Write accessible scripts
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.
E.g.- hidden content exposed with JavaScript,
such as a mouse over. If turned off, is there
an alternative way to link?

19. 13. Specify Accessible Applets and
Plug-ins
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)(1-11).
E.g.-include a link to the plug-in such as Adobe
Acrobat.

20. 14. Design Accessible Forms
When electronic forms are designed to be completed online, 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.

21. 15. Offer Skip Navigation
A method shall be provided that permits users to skip
repetitive navigation links.

22. 16. Alert Users to Timed Responses
When a timed response is required,
the user shall be alerted and given
sufficient time to indicate more time
is required.

23. Who Needs to Comply?

24. • Any US Federal Website (.GOV)
• Any vendor who provides information
to federal sites

25. Section 508 does not apply to:
• The private sector*
• Agencies or establishments using federal
funds
* currently being challenged

26. Legal Implications of 508
Target, AOL, Southwest Airlines,
Ramada, B&N, Priceline.com

27. Who Should Comply?

28. Everyone*
* If you know what’s good for you

29. 9 Good Reasons to Make
your Websites Compliant

30. • You could be non- • It enhances corporate
compliant with various image and brand
laws. • It reduces corporate risk
• It’s the right thing to do • It’s not just about people
• It increases market size with disabilities
• It addresses the aging • It improves SEO and
population Usability.
• My mother made me do
it!

31. Examples
www.learningthroughlistening.org
www.ready.gov

32. Useful Resources

33. • Cynthia Says- (http://www.cynthiasays.com/) test your sites for
Section 508 Compliance
• Section 508.gov- official Section 508 site; access to tools and
resources available
• Section 508 Tutorial-
(http://www.jimthatcher.com/webcourse1.htm) nice tutorial on making your
sites 508 compliant
• Access Board (http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm) developers
of Section 508 standards
• World Wide Web Consortium Web
Accessibility Initiative- (http://www.w3.org/WAI)
Collaborators and developers of accessibility guidelines

34. Any Questions?

35. Thank You!
Stephen Bouikidis
Executive Vice President
NetReach
stephen@netreach.com; 215-283-2300, ext. 147
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