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Section 508 for Beginners

Section 508 for Beginners. December 2007. What is Section 508?. Part of 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998 Provides comparable access to those with disabilities as to those without Includes development, procurement, use and maintenance of EIT products

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Section 508 for Beginners

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  1. Section 508 for Beginners December 2007

  2. What is Section 508? • Part of 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as amended in 1998 • Provides comparable access to those with disabilities as to those without • Includes development, procurement, use and maintenance of EIT products • Law with teeth…Government can be sued Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  3. Why Enforce the Law? • Dept. of Justice is required to issue a report to the President and Congress every two years • Assess the Federal Government’s compliance with Section 508 requirements • Every federal department and agency is subject to Section 508 and is required to respond to the Dept. of Justice survey • Next survey 2008 Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  4. Why Enforce the Law? • Obviously, It Is a Law • It is the right thing to do • An agency can be sued and systems can be pulled out of production • Supports Federal and State initiatives • President’s Management Agenda • New Freedom Initiative • You have a vested interest Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  5. Why Enforce the Law? Do you have problems with? Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  6. Why Enforce the Law? Do you have one or more of the conditions listed on the previous slide? …what about family members? …or your friends? …or your co-workers? Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  7. U.S. Census Data 2000, 2002 • 49.7 million people with some type of long lasting condition or disability • 9.3 million people with sensory disability • 21.2 million with limited physical activity • 12.4 million with learning disability • 8.4% of disabled children are less than 15 years old http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-17.pdf http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/sipp/disable02.html Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  8. The Ugly Statistics Data obtained from U.S. Census Bureau, 2002 http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/sipp/disable02.html Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  9. Dissecting the Law • Law consist of three subparts • Subpart B - Technical standards for six categories of products • Subpart C – Functional performance criteria • Subpart D - Information and documentation requirements Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  10. Dissecting the Law • Subpart B consist of standards for: • Software applications/operating systems • Web-based information and applications • Telecommunication products • Video and multimedia products • Self-contained, closed products • Desktop and portable computers Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  11. Dissecting the Law • Subpart C • Technologies or components for which there is no specific requirement under the technical standards in Subpart B • Covers operation, including input and control functions, operation of mechanisms, and access to visual and audible information Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  12. Dissecting the Law • Subpart D • Consists of information, documentation and support • Requires manufacturer upon request, to provide compliant electronic text for all documentation associated with the product Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  13. Dissecting the Law • When determining appropriate standards: • More than one category of standards may apply • Not all the standards in a category are necessarily applicable Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  14. Dissecting the Law • Technical Requirements drive the procurement, not Section 508 • Legal liability only pertains to the Procurement of IT, Services and Maintenance • Federal Government is liable for non-compliance, not the contractor or manufacturer Section 508► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  15. USPTO 508 Processes • USPTO has processes for the following: • Purchase of IT Hardware and COTS Products • Credit card Purchases of IT Products • Development and Maintenance of IT Software Systems • Creating or Maintaining Web Products Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  16. USPTO’s Section 508 Program • Staff available to help at any time • Features include: • Assistance with procurement • Consultation and testing during all phases of product development • Testing before product deployment • Training classes • Evaluation of latest technologies

  17. USPTO Section 508 training • Training classes offered at USPTO include: • Writing accessible documents • Authoring Section 508 compliant web pages and applications • Developing compliant software • New and emerging technologies including AJAX and Flash

  18. Common Requirements • Person buying or creating a product signs a checklist certifying compliance • USPTO interpretation of Section 508 is based on the Letter of the Law, not the spirit of the law Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  19. Common Requirements • Check-and-balance • Non-compliant products will be pulled from the internet/intranet or stopped from going into production or returned to the vendor • Only Section 508Coordinator can authorize exemptions or waivers Section 508 ►USPTO Process►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  20. Hardware and COTS • Includes IT Hardware and COTS products and services • ProductPurchaser is responsible for compliance • Of vendors who meet the functional requirements, determine who best meets the applicable Section 508 standards Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  21. What is Market Research? • The act of collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the marketplace to satisfy agency needs Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  22. Why Conduct Market Research? • FAR Requirement • Used to gauge the state of the EIT industry in meeting your requirements with products and services • Method for identifying products that meet Section 508 requirements Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  23. Market Research • Requiring Officials determine technical requirements • Identify products that meet those functional/technical requirements • Send appropriate 508 checklist to vendors who have the products • Take the stand that only vendors who provide completed checklist are eligible for contract consideration Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  24. Informal Market Survey • Vendor Internet site • Review of similar procurements by other agencies • Catalogs, product literature • Scientific journals • Business publications Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  25. Formal Market Survey Techniques • Using a published vehicle • Sources-sought announcements in the Federal Business Opportunities (www.FedBizOpps.gov) • RFI (Requests for Information) for planning purposes to gather appropriate technical information, approximate cost, and schedule information Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  26. What is a VPAT? • Voluntary Product Accessibility Template • Completed by the Vendor • Information on how a product or service conforms to the Section 508 Access Board standards • Optionally, posted on their vendor site and linked to Buy Accessible • Vendors are not required to complete a VPAT Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  27. Macromedia Dreamweaver VPAT Date: September, 1 2003 Name of Product: Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 http://www.adobe.com/macromedia/accessibility/tools/vpat/dreamweaver.html Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  28. Mozilla Firefox VPAT Date: October 19, 2005 Name of Product: Firefox 1.5 General Comments: Information in this VPAT is relevant to Firefox 1.5 running on a Windows 98, 2000, Server 2003, Me or XP operating system. Additional developer tools exist in this product that are not installed by default. These optional tools have not been tested. http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/vpat.html Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  29. Selecting a Vendor • Review vendor’s checklist • All standards are equal in importance • Do NOT accept “yes”, a checkmark, or “meets standards” • Need more information to make informed decision • If unsure, ask vendor for more information • Since vendor claimed compliance, they should have information readily available Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  30. Selecting a Vendor Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  31. Selecting a Vendor • Review Possible exemptions • Check with the agency’s appointed authority • Exemptions include: • Back Office - Equipment or software which resides in a data center or communication closet that cannot be readily accessed or accessed remotely • Fundamental Alteration - altering design and/or alteration of the function of the device or operation Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  32. Selecting a Vendor • Review Possible exemptions • Commercially non-available at time of buy • Support & Maintenance agreements • USPTO Position - There is No Such Creature called Undue Burden or Deferred Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  33. Selecting a Vendor • Complete processing procurement request • Consider a Sole Source purchase • Buyer completes checklist and signs it, certifying Section 508 compliance Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  34. Selecting a Vendor • Complete processing procurement request • Section 508 Coordinator reviews and initials procurement checklist • Buyer processes request with the checklist and supporting documents • Market Research • Most Compliant Vendor • Sole Source Justification Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  35. EIT Procurement Checklist Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS►Micro-Purchase ► Software ► Web ►Training

  36. Micro-Purchase and Section 508Purchase Card Program • Effective April 1, 2005 all purchases of electronic information technology (EIT) products must comply with Section 508 requirements • This includes (1) GSA schedule purchases, (2) open market purchases and (3) buys that cost $2,500 or less Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  37. Requiring Official's Responsibilities • Understanding the Section 508 requirements and requesting products that are Section 508 compliant • If a product does not conform with Section 508, it still may be purchased, but the file must be documented in accordance with the exceptions listings for Section 508 requirements Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  38. Approving Official’s Responsibilities • Ensure that the purchasing cardholders within their organization are complying with the Section 508 requirement • Review any documentation that has been provided Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  39. Purchase Cardholder’s Responsibilities • Ensure all necessary documentation has been reviewed and completed before purchasing any EIT products Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  40. Purchase Card Pre-Purchase Worksheet Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase► Software ► Web ►Training

  41. Developing Software • Since we are writing the code for a new or revised system, it is difficult to claim any type of exemption • Retrofitting a system for compliance is extremely expensive • A system Will Not go into production if it has Section 508 deficiencies Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  42. Developing Software • Most Section 508 standards are simply good old coding practices • Always code to the standards and not the accessibility tools (e.g., JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking) • Currently, there are no tools designed to evaluate software automatically Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  43. Developing Software • If JAWS can read a program, that is no guarantee that it is compliant • If JAWS cannot read a program, that is no guarantee that it has deficiencies • Few sighted people have sufficient expertise with JAWS to use it as an evaluation tool Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  44. Developing Software • Allow sufficient time to correct 508 deficiencies and still meet the schedule for production • Remember the Contracting Officer is the only person who can authorize changes to a contract • Contractor is responsible for ensuring compliance until the Government accepts the system Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  45. Developing Software • All software task orders have a clause requiring the product to be 508 compliant • Depending on the type of contract, a contractor is responsible for correcting any deficiency at their cost Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  46. AIS Checklist Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  47. Initial Steps • Define requirements - They drive the development of the system • SDM (Software Development Manager) signs the checklist certifying that the system will be 508 compliant • Coordinator reviews the system and initials the checklist Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  48. Initial Steps • Checklist becomes part of the requirement documentation • Developer determines the applicable standards • Developer provides the applicable standards to testing organization • There should be testing criteria for each standard and that is what the testers use for determining compliance Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  49. Initial Steps • Developer provides the applicable standards to testing organization • There should be testing criteria for each standard and that is what the testers use for determining compliance Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ►Software► Web ►Training

  50. Web Development • Most visible 508 area…both internally and with customers • The more complex and fancy a site, the more difficult it may be to make compliant • This does not imply that you have to “dummy down” the site Section 508 ► USPTO Process ►Hardware and COTS ►Micro-Purchase ► Software ►Web►Training

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