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508 COMPLIANCE

All federal agencies are required to make information technology accessible to the best of their abilities regardless of medium, including websites, web portals, mobile apps and application software.

At Benne-Franc Associates, (BFA), we have a Section 508 compliance team that includes 508 SMEs, 508 Testers and solution developers. Our developers have extensive design background and they understand how to develop screens, user interface and present information in a way that enables easy user access – regardless of the type of software or device they are using. We incorporate the best practice principles of forms design, web usability and accessibility, so that ALL users are able to effectively navigate federal websites, portals and applications.

508 Compliance Services

Our IT experts starts every 508 compliance project by conducting a thorough evaluation and assessment of your web and software applications against Section 508 standards. Next, we develop a detailed project plan and timeline to make it completely 508 compliant. We then conduct in-depth 508 compliance testing as per our comprehensive 508 compliance checklist and then present a detailed report with practical recommendations and suggestions on how best to make the product compliant as per the 508 rehabilitation act. We will make the approved changes and remediation steps needed to achieve Section 508 compliance. Lastly, we perform a final re-evaluation to ensure full compliance.

As part of our ongoing Section 508 compliance services, BFA typically performs the following:

  • Audit Agency web assets and applications.
  • Assess and score each website/application based on Section 508 compliance and adherence to usability and accessibility best practices.
  • Prioritize and rank each website Agency-wide based on its level of importance, public visibility and use.
  • Work through the prioritized list and perform remediation services by implementing the necessary changes to be Section 508 compliant.
  • Maintain ongoing compliance support services as needed.

Benefits

Get the following benefits from BFA’s Section 508 compliance auditing services:

  • Document current accessibility status and compliance rates
  • Obtain reliable, independent analyses using standardized testing methodologies
  • Create a prioritized project plan for addressing issues
  • Review code-level examples of accessibility errors and recommended solutions

Why audit your agency software and web application?

Auditing for Section 508, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Compliance audits are a fact of life for government agencies today. If you haven’t yet begun auditing your IT systems to determine their compliance with accessibility standards such as Section 508, ADA, and WCAG, it’s time to start.

BFA is proficient at conducting accessibility audits that identify and prioritize all accessibility errors within an IT system; define the method for addressing any issues; and document the system’s overall compliance with Section 508, ADA, and WCAG. Our resulting audit reports can then be used to improve system compliance; prepare for Department of Justice (DoJ) audits, and help protect you against legal action.

Section 508 Compliance Evaluation

Our IT experts has developed a concise and proven process for evaluating websites, web portals, mobile apps and application software. We follow and factor real-world conventions – making sure that information is easy for users to locate, access and navigate. As part of our process, we ensure that meaningful and descriptive labels, window titles, messages and alert notifications are understandable.

Our SQA team (508 testers) possesses a thorough understanding of Section 508 compliance and the usage of assistive technology tools such as JAWS, Windows Eyes and Dragon Naturally Speaking. At a minimum, our 508 testers/SQA evaluate the following:

  • Are all elements navigable via keyboard?
  • Is the tabbing order of elements logical?
  • Are all elements recognized by the assistive technology?
  • Do all the elements have a label recognized by the assistive technology and the label sufficiently describes the element purpose?
  • Are all images explained via an alternate tag?
  • Do all tables identify column and row properly to the assistive technology?
  • Does the assistive technology bring the user back to a meaningful data element on a partial page post back?
  • Are required fields denoted non-visual data?
  • Will the user of assistive technology be aware of all validation error messages without navigating through the whole page?
  • Are skip links present to bypass repetitive headers and menus?
  • If color-coding is used, is there a data equivalent in the page and accessible by the assistive technology?

Core Competencies

BFA leadership and expertise in Section 508 compliance is widely recognized. Let us help you to increase constituent accessibility, strengthen best practices and maintain ongoing compliance. We can provide:

  • Accessibility Testing. Assess the product to identify accessibility issues and ensure that it is complies with Section 508.
  • Program Management Support. Strategic consulting to help manage accessibility programs.
  • Help Desk Support. Answers to Section 508, accessibility development, and assistive technology questions.
  • Accessibility Training. Attend an online webinar or a customized on-site training on web or mobile accessibility, Section 508, PDF, or accessibility testing.
  • PDF Remediation. Resolve compliance and usability challenges with our expertise in your PDF documents.
  • VPAT Verification. Third-party evaluation of products to verify compliance of content and systems.
  • On-Going Compliance Monitoring. Audit changes and monitor evolving standards to maintain compliance.
  • Website Development. Design and construct websites that meet the Section 508. Integrate accessibility into CMS workflows.

Summary of Section 508 Capabilities

Section 508 compliance is not just about checking the box. Our compliance experts who take this important law into consideration for everything we do. Our team has created the best practice for Section 508 and built custom solutions utilizing the technical standards (§1194.21 and §1194.22) of Section 508 Law for Software Applications and Operating Systems.

  • Development that spans a wide range of constituent access points such as
  • Websites (with User Experience)
  • Information portals
  • Mobile technologies (responsive web design)
  • Expertise across a variety of accessibility tools such as JAWS/Window Eyes/Dragon Naturally Speaking etc.
  • Factor in all accessible attributes to the full solution life cycle
  • Detailed Testing and remediation techniques with reports

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