Implementing Section 508

Section 508 Requirements and Standards

§ 1194.22a
A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (i.e., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content)

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

All images must have an alt attribute. The text for an alt attribute should:

• Describe the content of the image:

< img src="http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/images/board_members.jpg" alt="Photo of Board of Supervisors Members" />

• Convey the intended meaning of the image:

< img src="http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/images/banner_title.gif" alt="County of Sonoma, California" />

Images that require a lengthy explanation (such as graphs and charts), which are not possible to accurately represent with an alt attribute, should use the longdesc attribute instead. The longdesc attribute contains a URL to a web page that fully explains the contents of the image.

For example: < img alt="" src="http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/images/budget_analysis_chart.gif" longdesc="http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/budget_analysis.htm" />

§ 1194.22b
Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

• All multimedia presentations must be closed captioned and transcript text must be synchronized with audio track.

§ 1194.22c
Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

• Color is not the sole method used to convey important information.
• Sufficient contrast is provided. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 at least 4.5:1, except for the following:

  Large Text:

  Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1

§ 1194.22d
Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

• Web pages and documents will be understandable when style sheets are removed.
• PDF documents will reflow properly with formatting is removed.
• Use structural markup (< h1>, etc. ) to provide the proper layout for your document.

§ 1194.22e
Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

• Client-side image maps (see below) must be used wherever possible.
• If you cannot avoid using a Server-side image map: Anytime a visitor can select specific areas of a graphic for navigation, a text link must also be provided.

§ 1194.22f
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.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

Appropriate alternative text must be provided for:

• The image
• Each clickable “hot spot” region of the image map

§ 1194.22g
Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

Data Tables

• Data tables must have column and row headers
• Tables must have Summary info

§ 1194.22h
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.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

Complex data tables will be designed with underlying formatting for screen readers, so that they can be read aloud in a logical fashion. Table cells are associated with the appropriate headers using the id, headers, scope and/or axis attributes.

§ 1194.22i
Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

The use of frames in HTML page design is highly discouraged unless there is a compelling business need. If frames cannot be avoided: each frame must have a title that describes the frame’s purpose or content.

§ 1194.22j
Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. 

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

Web pages (including animated graphics on the page) must not flicker.

§ 1194.22k
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.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

If a web page cannot be made accessible, then an alternative text-only page should be offered and kept in sync with the original.

§ 1194.22l
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.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

If page content is produced through dynamic scripting, you must create functional text that can be read by assistive technology.

JavaScript functionality (such as drop-down menus):

• Must be directly accessible to assistive technologies and the keyboard, or
• An alternative method of accessing equivalent functionality must be provided. 

§ 1194.22m
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) through (l).

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

When a separate software program, Java applet or plug-in is required to deliver information, a link must be provided to a web page where the software can be downloaded.

Most vendors have specific policy we are expected to follow when linking to their products. Adobe®´s requirements have already been incorporated in this example. For other products, please refer to the vendor´s site for specific permissions, trademark or terms of use policy.

If a link cannot be provided, either:

• Make sure that the Java applets, scripts and plug-ins (including PDF files), and the content within them, are accessible to assistive technologies, or
• Provide an alternative means of accessing equivalent content.

§ 1194.22n
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.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

• All form controls must have text labels associated with them in the markup:
• Dynamic scripting of the form does not interfere with assistive technologies and is keyboard accessible. 

§ 1194.22o
A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

Pages shall be designed with "skip" navigation functionality to allow visitors to skip links or listen as desired. 

§ 1194.22p
When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required.

County Implementation of Multimedia Presentations

When a page requires a timed response, it must allow the visitor to receive additional time to complete the task.